
Class _i 
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HISTORY 



WORCESTER Guards 



WORCESTER CITY GUARDS 

From 1840 to 1896. 
By LIEUTENANT S.'hATHAWAY, 

I! 

OLD GUARDS OF J840. 



WORCESTKR, MASS.: 

F. S. Bl.ANCHARD & Co., PRINTERS, 1S4 FrONT StHKRT. 
1896. 



to,::.. 



25^ '08 



I- 



DEDICATIOR 



IN WRITING HISTORY OF WHICH ONE'S SELF IS A 
PART, IT IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE "I AM" FROM 
COMING TO THE FORE, BUT I HAVE ENDEAVORED 
TO KEEP THE MUNCHAUSENS OF THE POET IN SUB- 
JECTION TO THE JUDGMENT OF THE HISTORIAN, AND 
HAVE PRESENTED ONLY THE COLD FACTS OF HIS- 
TORY, WHICH IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO ALL 
THE GUARDS, AND THE PUBLIC AS WELL. 

THE AUTHOR. 




LIEUT. HATHAWAY — 1840. 



A HISTORY 

OK TIIK 

WORCESTER GUARDS 

From 1840 to J 895. 



URING the political excitement of 1 840, the Wor- 
cester Light Infantry, then composed of Whigs 
and Democrats, became divided, all the Whig 
members retiring excepting Capt. D. Waldo Lincoln. 
I quote from a paper read before the old Worcester 
Fire Society by Capt. D. Waldo Lincoln in 1877: 

"Each of the political parties, Whigs and Locofocos, 
were desirous of having a grand demonstration in Wor- 
cester, July 4th, 1 840, and each was anxious to secure 
the services of the Light Infantry (the only militar}'- com- 
pany in town) to act as escort to the procession. Some 
of the most active among the Whigs authorized Col. 
John W. Lincoln to extend an invitation to the Infantry 
to act as their escort in anticipation of more formal 
action to be taken by the committee of arrangement. 
Their opponents, the Locofocos, however, held a meeting 
and appointed a committee, who sent a formal invitation, 



which was received by the company soon after the verbal 
one of the Whigs, the members of the Infantry being 
nearly divided between the two political parties. A very 
excited and animated discussion took place as to which 
invitation should be accepted. The Democrats, having a 
slight majority, voted to accept the invitation of that 
party, on the ground that although the invitation of the 
Whigs was first received, the other was more formal and 
was sanctioned by properly authorized representatives 
of the party. The result was that the Whigs were so 
incensed that they would not parade, either on July 
4th or thereafter, but would get a discharge as soon as 
possible. 

" Capt. Lincoln decided it was for the best interests of 
the command and as likely to prevent a total disband- 
ment that the dissatisfied members be allowed to retire, 
and through his influence the Whig members (all save 
Capt. Lincoln himself) received a discharge from the 
authorized military officials." 

The Democrats at once set to work to fill up the com- 
pany, and with such success that in a week's time the 
quota was full — all good Jackson Democrats and true, 
save the captain. This action stirred up the Whigs, and 
they determined to raise a company composed of mem- 
bers of their party, and such was the enthusiasm in 
which it was carried into eftect that Aug. 6th, 1840, the 
organization of the Worcester Guards was completed. 
The question of calling them the Worcester Harrison 
Independent Guards, so that the name would read Whig 
on their knapsack, was discussed, but abandoned from its 
great length, and the name of the Worcester Guards was 



adopted, which was changed by vote of the company, in 
1850, to the Worcester City Guards, "Hersey's History 
of Worcester " to the contrary notwithstanding, who says 
they bore the name of Harrison Guards. 

A supper was given them at the Worcester House by 
an invitation of the Whig citizens, on the eve of Sep- 
tember 19th, 1840, the day of their first parade, — when 
speeches were spoke and silver tops broke, and a right 
good time was held. 

Gov. Lincoln presided. Hon. B. F. Thomas, Hon. 
Henry Chapin and others made eloquent speeches. 

A young Guard said : " We are your children, and may 
you never know how sharper than a serpent's tooth 'tis 
to have a thankless child." 

The first officers were: Captain, George Bowen; ist 
Lieut., George Hobbs; 2d Lieut, Leonard Pool; 3d Lieut., 
George W. Richardson; ist Sergt, and Clerk, Hiram 
Gould; 2d, Joshua R. Bigelow ; 3d, Samuel T. Lamb*; 
4th, Elbridge G. Pratt; 5th and Color Bearer, Charles 
Blanchard. An organization was effected Sept. 19, 1840, 
and the company paraded for the first time on that day, 
and sixty-four "good men and true" stood in line before 
the Town Hall while the Boston Brigade Band beat 
off, and old Bartlett's trumpet sounded the notes of their 
first reveille (may it echo down the ages). This cere- 
mony began the history that for more than half a century 
has been written in honor without one stain to mar its 
beauty, or one blot on its escutcheon of glory. From 
the time of its organization to the present, the company 
has been commanded by the following officers in the 
order named : 



Captains — ^ George Bowen, George Hobbs, Leonard 
Poole, George B. Conklin, L. Lincoln Newton, Edwin 
Eaton, Charles W. Longley, John M. Goodhue, George 
H. Ward, A. B. R. Sprague, R. H. Chamberlain, Joseph 
A. Titus, Wm. H. King, E. R. Shumway, George H. 
Cleveland, Wm. D. Preston, Wm. A. Condy and E. G. 
Barrett. 

Capt. E. A. Wood was commissioned as captain of Co. 

A, Third Battalion, Aug. 7th, 1862, and went into the 
service of the United States under that commission. 

First Lieutenants — Geo. Hobbs, Leonard Poole, Geo. 

B. Conklin, Levi L. Newton, Edwin Eaton, Elbridge G. 
Pratt, Daniel W. Lincoln, Samuel H. Leonard, Geo. H. 
Ward, A. B. R. Sprague, Edwin A. Wood, Josiah Pickett, 
Edward W. Adams, John W. Sanderson, Joseph A. Long, 
Frank L. R. Coes, Wm. H. King, Frank A. Harrington, 
Chas. H. Parker, Edwin R. Shumway, Chas. Tarbox, 
James E. Childs, Forbes B. Fay, Wm. J. Stamp, George 
H. Cleveland, James Early, Frank S. Hoyt. 

Second Lieutenants — Leonard Poole, Geo. W. Rich- 
ardson, Geo. B, Conklin, John Metcalf, Edwin Eaton, 
Elbridge G. Pratt, John B. Wyman, Ebenezer Harring- 
ton, George H. Ward, A. B. R. Sprague, Samuel V. 
Stone, Edwin A. Wood, Josiah Pickett, Geo. C. Joslin, 
Calvin N. Harrington, Joseph A. Titus, Frank L. R. 
Coes, Wm. H. King, Frank E. Hall, Justin B. Willard, 
Everett A. Morse, Edwin R. Shumway, James F. Meech, 
Forbes B. Fay, Wm. J. Stamp. Geo. H. Cleveland, Frank 
W. Barrett, Wm. D. Preston, Frank S. Hoyt, Wm. A. 
Condy, Moses H. Tisdale. 

Third Lieutenants (office abolished in 1861). — Geo. 
W. Richardson, Geo. B. Conklin, John Metcalf, Levi 
L. Newton, Edwin Eaton, J. Baker Wyman, Chas. C. 
Chamberlin, E. Harrington, Geo. H. Ward, A. B. R. 



Sprague, Samuel V. Stone, Samuel Hathaway, Orson 
Moulton. 

Fourth Lieutenants (office abolished in 1861). — 
Sewell Thompson, Samuel H. Leonard, Geo. H. Ward, 
Wm. A. Smith, Geo. G. Burbank, Samuel Hathaway, 
Edw. W. Adams, Francis Wayland, Jr., Edwin P. Wood- 
ward, Geo. C. Joslin, Everett A. Harkness. 

Capt. Wm. D. Preston enlisted in Guards Aug. 10, 
1880; passed the grades of corporal, sergeant and lieu- 
tenant to captain. Resigned the captaincy in 1888 ; re- 
enlisted in 1 890 as a private. 

Capt. Wm. A. Condy enlisted May 23, 1882 ; was cor- 
poral, sergeant, second lieutenant, promoted to first lieu- 
tenant, and was elected captain July 19, 1888. 

Capt. Edwin G. Barrett was successively corporal, 
sergeant; received his commission as captain May 18, 
1893. Capt. Barrett was bom in Springfield, 1866. 
Has lived in Worcester more than twenty years. Enlisted 
in Guards May 25 th, 1885. 

Lieut. Samuel Hathaway joined the Guards 1840 (one 
of the originals), passed through the grades of corporal, 
sergeant, was elected fourth lieutenant Dec. 4th, 1852, pro- 
moted to third lieutenant May 20, 1853 ; declined further 
promotion. His province was the social life of the Guards ; 
acted as toastmaster at all banquets for years. Removed 
to New York in 1859. Was compelled to decline the elec- 
tion of captain of Co. B, 3d Batl. Rifles. Was on the 
committee of Col. Frank Howe of New York for the 
reception of regiments passing to and from the front. 
A speech made to the 25 th Mass. at the Astor House, 
on their way to the front, preserved by Mrs. George PL 



Ward, then prophecy, now reads as history, but is too 
long for insertion here. 

Capt. G. Wyman Rockwood performed duty in the 
Guards in 1840 in place of Erasmus Rice, who presented 
him with a uniform that had been made for himself, but 
having experienced religion after joining and before first 
parade procured a substitute. He joined in his own name 
in 1843, and in 1861, as he had no compunctions of con- 
science in joining the great army of his country's salvation 
to preach the doctrine of saltpetre rather than Saint Peter 
in fiery musketry. He was one of the persons at Herico 
county jail selected by ballot to be hung in case the 
United States hung, as they threatened, several rebels 
condemned as traitors, and he was reminded every morn- 
ing that this might be his last day on earth ; and so he 
lived for weeks wnth the rope around his neck (figura- 
tively), ready to be swung off into glorious immortality. 
But as the United States let up on the prisoners, he was 
relieved, and still lives at a ripe old age, with the infirmi- 
ties of life like a rope about his neck, waiting for the 
drop to fall, and when the time shall come, we are sure 
he will meet it as bravely as he has met the various 
vicissitudes of life, and may the last sound that greets 
his ear be, " Farewell, comrade, brave and true. Enter 
the camp prepared for you." Col. I. M. Studh^ of Provi- 
dence, then commander of 15th Mass., whose name was 
also in the hat, saj^s he was not worried, as he never 
drew a prize in his life. 

The only survivors of the first company of 1840 are 
Hon. Julius L. Clarke and Sam'l Jennison of Boston, 
Frederick A, Page of Providence, David J. Baker and 



Geo. A. Brown of Worcester, and Lieut. Sam'l Hatha- 
way of Enfield, Conn. 

The company attended the celebration of the dedica- 
tion of Bunker Hill monument, and was detached to do 
guard duty at the monument while Daniel Webster de- 
livered his great oration, where a little episode occurred 
worth mentioning. A rough fellow tried to pass the 
lines, but was stopped by Edwin Eaton, a prompt and 
efficient soldier, but he persevered, and in the struggle 
a bayonet pierced his arm and the blood flowed freely. 
The crowd, not knowing the cause, cried Shame ! shame ! 
when an army officer in full uniform stepped to the 
front, hushed the crowd and said the soldier did his 
duty and did it well and only the man himself was to 
blame, and it was received with loud hand-clapping. 

In 1 860 several members subscribed for a gold medal, 
which is inscribed as follows: "Presented by the Wor- 
cester Guards of 1840 to the Worcester City Guards, 
Sept. 19, i860, to be shot for annually." 

The following names are engraved thereon : S. Whitte- 
more, H. A. Abercrombie, A. L. Pike, A. Provenchor, 
F. E. Hull, Henry Brannon, Lyman E. H. Tinkham, 
Edward Parker, 1872; E. R. Shumway, Wm. H. King, 
E. R. Shumway, C. Tarbox, F. W. Barrett, 1878; F. W. 
Barrett, 1879; E. R. Shumway, 1880; Adrian Brown, 
1881; F. W. Barrett, 1882; M. R. Morgan, 1883; Frank 
E. Hoyt, 1884; A. D. Jefferson, 1885; Moses H. Tisdale, 
1886; A. D. Jefferson, 1887; Moses H. Tisdale, 1888; 
A. D. Jefferson, 1889; John B. Grace, 1890; Moses H. 
Tisdale, 1891 ; Moses H. Tisdale, 1892; Edwin G. Barrett, 
1893; Arthur Magee, 1894; Edwin G. Barrett, 1895. 



First and last the Guards have included some of the 
best citizens of Worcester. Of those men who made up 
the first roster, Capt. Bowen was the father of the lady 
who became the wife of Mayor Jas. B. Blake. First 
Lieut. Hobbs rose to be major general in the militia and 
gave two sons to the service during the Rebellion. Capt. 
L. L. Newton was a son of Rejoice Newton, and thereby 
a brother of Mrs. John W. Wetherell. Years ago, S. R. 
Leland dedicated to him a piece of music, called "Newton 
Quickstep," and on the title page is a very good picture 
of the captain, with the company wearing their second 
uniform, one of blue. General Sprague has a picture 
taken from Gleason's Pictorial, representing the company 
in Captain Goodhue's day, wearing a white uniform with 
bearskin hats. These pictures would make fine contrasts 
with one of the company as it is dressed to-day. 

The Kendall referred to as bugler was one of the most 
noted artists of his day, and it was claimed that his 
famous horn was given to him by Queen Victoria. " Old 
Put" and "wSi" Smith were also distinguished military'- 
musicians. — Smith, the fifer, a small man, and " Put," 
with a foot that made an impression whenever it came 
down. The General Wyman who was killed in battle 
before Vicksburg married a daughter of the first Osgood 
Bradley. Owing to the burning of the enlistment books 
of the company, it is difficult to tell, to-day, just who the 
survivors of the first company are. 

The company has occupied armories as follows : First, 
in the second story of the Town Hall; second, in the 
third story of a wooden building on Thomas street, 
near Slater's court ; third, in the attic of Dr. Green's 



13 

building, nearly opposite Central street ; fourth, Waldo 
block. 

When the Worcester Bank block was built, an armoiy 
was furnished for the Guards, which, at the time, w-as 
one of the best in the state, and became a popular resort 
for the company and its friends. Afterwards Brinley 
hall was leased by the company for an armory, and used 
by them until the opening of the war. When Brinley 
hall was abandoned, the upper story of Taylor's block 
was fitted for an armor\', which was destroyed by fire 
in 1875, where all their records and many valuable 
relics were destroyed, including a beautiful silk banner 
presented by the ladies in 1 840, and a painting presented 
by Henr}^ Woodward, Esq., of the South Worcester en- 
campment; a valuable scrap-book containing collections 
of years, piano, etc., etc. 

The armory on Waldo street, built by the city, was 
at that time nearly completed, and w^as soon afterward 
occupied by the company in common with the other mili- 
tary organizations of the city. The armory on Waldo 
street, although built in accordance with approved plans, 
was never satisfactory, it being three times condemned 
by the adjutant general, but it was not until July, 1885, 
that it was abandoned, when the company moved to 
Clark's block on Front street, where they remained until 
the beginning of the 3'ear 1887, when they moved into 
the quarters on Mechanic street. Thence they moved 
on to the second floor of the new armory. 

The first encampment of the company, in 1 840, was in 
Worcester. The second was in West Boylston, when 
the band was accompanied by Ned Kendall with his 



14 

silver bugle, and he and his brother Jim became great 
favorites with the company, and gave a famous concert 
in Worcester for the Guards. Old Put and Si Smith fur- 
nished the field music, with fife and drum, for many 
years. Dan Simpson, the veteran drummer of the An- 
cient and Honorable Artillery, following after Old Put, 
had beat his last "taps." At the West Boylston encamp- 
ment the company was detached to exhibit the drill in 
Scott's "Tactics," then just adopted by the M. V. M., to 
the field officers, Brigadier General Jones of Greenfield 
in command. 

In 1843 L. Lincoln Newton was unanimously elected 
captain, and the roll of its members, fortunately preserved 
by his sister, Mrs. Col. John W. Wetherell, is given 
below. He was a very popular and efficient officer, and 
made himself beloved by every member ; but he went 
down in his youth and usefulness before that fell de- 
stroyer who knows no pulse of sympathy or pangs of 
remorse. (See roll, also extracts from Capt. Newton's 
diary.) 

Roll of the Worcester Guards of 1843. 



George Hobbs, 
Gardiner Paine, 
L. Lincoln Newton, 
James Eaton, 
Samuel Jennison, Jr., 
Dennis F. Witherbee, 
Samuel Hathaway, 
Nathaniel Tead, 
Francis H. Kinnicutt, 



enlisted July, 1840. 



Promoted. 
Discharged. 

Left town. 




CAPT. L. LINCOLN NEWTON. 



Charles Blanchard, 
Charles P. Chapin, 
Frederick A. Paige, 
William F. Emerson, 
George A. Barber, 
George A. Chamberlain, 
Ithamar S. Coes, 
Edwin W. Nye, 
Milton Homer, 
Edwin L. Heywood, 
Samuel T. Lamb, 
Henry Adams, 
Elbridge G. Pratt, 
Henry H. Edgarton, 
Leonard Poole, 
Nathaniel D. Coe, 
George Geer, 
Luther Slater, 
John G. Coes, 
George B. Conklin, 
George S. Putnam, 
George Bower, 
Loammi Harrington, 
Stephen T. Coe, 
Charles P. Nichols, Jr., 
Windsor Hatch, 
George E. Wyman, 
Francis E. Bigelow, 
Joshua R. Bigelow, 
George W. Richardson, 
Hiram Gould, 
George C. Trumbull, 
Francis W. Eaton, 
Lewis H. Nye, 
George W. Adams, 
Harrison Bliss, 



enlisted July, 1840. 



Promoted. 
Left town. 

Deceased. 

^ Excused by 
( Surgeon. 

Discharged. 

Discharged. 

C Excused by 
I Surgeon. 



Discharged. 

Hon. Mem. 

Discharged. 

Deceased. 



Left town. 

Discharged. 
Left town. 
Promoted. 
Left town. 



Deceased. 
Left town. 



i6 



Joel Nourse, 


enlisted July, 


1840. Discharged 


Edward F. Dixie, 


" 


" 




Julius L. Clark, 


t< 


i( 




Charles Paine, 


<< 


n 


" Hon. Mem 


Joseph Boyden, 


<< 


n 




Samuel V. Stone, 


<< 


ii 




Artemus Ward, 2d, 


i< 


" 


Discharged 


(leorge W. Capron, 


a 


" 


Under age 


Lewis Boyden, 


a 


" 




John Metcalf, 


^i 


a 


" Discharged 


Russell R. Shepard, 


<< 


n 


<< <( 


Joseph Pratt, 


n 


a 


a << 


George Dryden. 


(t 


a 


a << 


David J. Baker, 


<< 


a 




Jonathan H. Knights, 


" 


" 




Horatio N, Tower, 


n 


" 




Theophilus Brown, 


" 


" 


Discharged. 


Edwin^I. Howe, 


ii 


(< 




George F. Ramsdell, 


<< 


(i 


" Discharged 


David E. Merriman, 


ti 


" 


Left town. 


Samuel Lees, 


> (< 


" 




Leonard White, 


<< 


" 


" Discharged 


Barzillian wSpencer, 


" 


" 


Left town. 


Leonard Gates, 


" 


a 




George A. Brown, 


(( 


a 




George]jH. Merriman, 


ii 


a 


" Discharged 


Charles S. Ellis, 


t< 


a 


Hon. Mem 


Charles N. OHver, 


ti 


a 


" Discharged 


Danforth H. Bundv, 


" 


a 


a a 


Edwin Eaton, 


(( 


a 




Erastus B. Rice, 


1< 


a 




William W. Ward, 


" 


May 8, 


1 84 1. Discharged. 


Samuel R. Leland, 


" 


" 10, 




Hiram W, Shepard, 


<t 


" 


Discharged. 


Allen Billings, 


" 


" II, 


Deceased, bur- 
ied under arms 



17 



Luther H. Goulding, enlisted Nov. 8, 1841 

James G. Henderson, 

G. Wyman Rockwood, ** Dec. 17,1842. 

Charles C. Chamberlin, 

Thomas Kellogfor 

Harlow M. Guild, 

Lewis Thompson, 

John B. Wyman, " Apr. 27, 1843, 

William C. Head, " Jan. 15, " 

J. Crawford Wyman, " Sept. 13, " 

Amos C. Rathborn, " " 22, " 



Extracts from Diary of Gen. Sprague. 



April 10, 1856. Forty-three men ; City Guards buried 
Private Chas. H, Sampson with military honors from the 
Universalist Church. 

^lay 2 2d. The Providence Light Infantry arrived at 
9.30 A. M., and were received by Worcester City Guards. 
Gave them a collation at Warren hall. 

July 4th. City Guards performed escort duty for the 
city government. Procession formed at noon. Oration 
by Homer B. Sprague, a member of the City Guards. 
Dined in the Yale tent on the Common. 

September roth. Camp Cooledge. Leominster's 5th 
Brigade. Gen. S. H. Leonard. Forenoon, reviewed by 
Gen. Leonard. Afternoon, reviewed by Gov. Gardner. 

October loth. Election of officers Worcester City 
Guards. A. B. R. Sprague elected captain, but he de- 
clined to accept the office. John M. Goodhue was then 
elected and he declined. 

November 24th. ist Lieut. A. B. R. Sprague's resig- 
nation as first lieutenant Worcester City Guards accepted. 



Joined the company in March, 1844. (See Diary, Nov. 
24th.) 

September 9, 1857, 9^^ ^^^ loth. Regiments, includ- 
ing City Guards, went into camp (5th Brigade, Gen. 
Leonard) at South Worcester — Camp Hobbs. 

September loth. Battalion and brigade drills. 

September 1 1 th. Gen. Morse and staff and Gov. 
Gardner and staff. 

September 15 th. City Guards, in citizen's dress, at- 
tended the funeral of Edwin Eaton, family declining 
public parade. 

February 6, 1858. At a meeting of the Worcester City 
Guards held this evening to consider who they would 
support for the vacant offices of captain and first lieu- 
tenant, it was unanimously voted to present the name 
of George H. Ward for captain and A. B. R. Sprague 
for first lieutenant, and they were waited upon by a com- 
mittee of the company and urged to become candidates. 

February 2 2d. At an election of officers Geo. H. 
Ward was elected captain and A. B. R. Sprague first 
lieutenant. 

March 15 th. A petition of the officers of the loth 
Regiment, M. V. M., to have the companies of the 3d 
Battalion Rifles (Worcester City and Holden Rifles) re- 
annexed to the loth Regiment was heard by a committee 
of the Executive Council. Lieut. Sprague represented 
the Worcester City Guards in opposition, and the peti- 
tioners had leave to withdraw. 

July 8 th. Lieut. Sprague drilled the company in the 
new rifle manual. 

September i st. In response to an invitation of the city 



19 

government to join in the celebration (general through- 
out the United States and Great Britain) of the suc- 
cessful laying of the Atlantic cable, the Worcester City- 
Guards paraded at 4 p. m. in white coats and black pants. 
Evening parade, grand illumination. Marched through 
Main, Salisbur}^ Harvard, Chestnut, Elm, West, Pleasant, 
Front, Summer and Main to City Hall. 

September 21st, 2 2d and 23d. Camp Wool, Hampden 
park, Springfield, division encampment. Gen. Augustus 
Morse in command, the Worcester City Guards being 
in the 5 th, Brigade, Gen. Samuel H. Leonard (an old 
Guard) commanding. On the evening of the 2 2d the 
division was marched to the City Hall, where Gov. 
Banks gave an interesting address to the troops, lasting 
an hour. On the 23d, review by the commander-in-chief, 
Gov. N. P. Banks. On the arrival at Worcester the 
Worcester City Guards were entertained at lunch at the 
Bay State by G. C. Bigelow and James H. Freeland, old 
Guards. 

November 6th. At i P. M. Worcester City Guards 
turned out for target practice, thirty-five active, thirty 
old Guards, proceeded to Fairmount, accompanied by 
Fiske Band. Active : Best shot, Wm. H. Snow ; second 
best, L. C. Stone; third, F. C. Goodwin. Old Guard: 
Best, Wm. H. Harrington ; second best, D. H. Fames. 

November 7th. Supper at the Bay State House, where 
speeches were made by Bullock, Davis, Hobbs, Stoddard, 
Bynner and others. Presentations of prizes, etc., fol- 
lowed till eleven o'clock. 

December 30th. Worcester City Guards escorted Gen. 
Leonard and staff to Mechanics hall, gave an exhibition 



20 



drill in company movements, bayonet exercise, review 
and dress parade for the benefit of the Lyceum and 
Library Association. 

February 14, i860. City Guards' grand ball at Me- 
chanics hall. 

February 22d. An election of officers was held; Geo. 
H. Ward elected captain, A. B. R. Sprague first lieu- 
tenant. 

September 19th. Worcester City Guards celebrated 
their 20th anniversary. Active company with the old 
Guards went to Lancaster for target practice and dinner. 

September 26th, 27th and 28th. Camp "day," 5th 
Brigade. 27th, reviewed by Adjt.-Gen. Schouler. 28th, 
reviewed by Gen. Augustus Morse. 

Extracts from the Diary of Capt. Lincoln Newton. 

May 20, 1840. Some trouble arising in the Worcester 
Light Infantry, eleven young Whigs having applied for 
admission and were rejected. This was the foundation 
of the Worcester Guards. 

May 23 d. An attempt is being made to raise a new 
vounteer company. 

May 26th. ]Mr. Wm. Lincoln went to Boston to-day 
to secure a charter for a new Whig military company. 

July 2 1 St. A meeting of the military was held in the 
evening, and the uniform was adopted as prescribed 
by law — dark blue coat faced with white, pants the 
same. 

August 5 th. Military company held a meeting and 
chose George Bowen, captain ; George Hobbs, first lieu- 



21 



tenant; Leonard Poole, second lieutenant; George W. 
Richardson, third lieutenant. 

August 7th. Company drilled. 

August 8th. Met and decided upon the name as 
" Worcester Guards." 

August 20th. First drill in the fields in the evening. 

August 25th. Stephen T. Coe, son of Deacon John 
Coe; died. He was buried by Worcester Guards in citi- 
zen's dress ; uniform not arrived. 

September 12th. In the afternoon the imiforms were 
received and paid for. 

September 19th. The Worcester Guards paraded 
through the streets with the Brigade Band, dined at 
Lieut. Hobbs' Eagle Hotel. After dinner paraded about 
the streets. At 7 p. m. marched to the Worcester House 
to partake of a supper given by the Whigs of Worcester. 
Gov. Lincoln, George T. Rice, F. W. Paine and B. F. 
Thomas and others lent their aid towards the enjoyment. 
The Guards have been exceedingly fortunate in the choice 
of their commander. He is sttch a captain as any com- 
pany may well be proud of. As long as the Worcester 
Guards shall continue, the name of Capt. George Bowen 
will be associated with them, and in after days the 
memories of both will be one and the same. 

October 6th. Worcester Guards paraded and were 
shown proper civilities by Worcester Light Infantry, who 
escorted them through the streets and were in turn 
escorted to the Worcester House to take a friendly glass 
of wine. Thus a feeling of amity was created between 
these two military companies, rivals as they were and 
differing in politics. 



October 9th. Friday: Worcester Guards on duty at 6 
o'clock A. M. ready for muster. Received great praise 
for excellence in marching and other exercises. At sun- 
down returned to headquarters. 

January 14, 1841. Worcester Guards appeared in full 
ranks to bury their fellow soldier, Ithamar S. Goes, from 
the Methodist Church, of which he was a member. 

February 26th. Worcester Guards received five dol- 
lars each for services performed during the past year. 

March 4th. It having been previously decided to 
celebrate the inauguration of William Henry Harrison 
by a military ball, the Whig ladies of Worcester, being 
desirous of presenting the Guards with a fine banner, 
one was procured from Boston, of white silk sur- 
rounded with gilt fringe, and surmounted by a gilt eagle. 
On one side was painted the coat-of-arms of Massachu- 
setts, on the other the device of the Spartan mother pre- 
senting to her son a shield with the motto, Ant hoc 
vel super hoc. 

March 4, 1841. Carried this banner to the Guards 
with a note from the ladies, who considered it more 
becoming than the usual formality attending a presenta- 
tion. When the hall was well filled with ladies and all 
things prepared, the company marched into the hall and 
opened the ceremonies with a military dance. Capt. 
George Bowen has sent in his resignation. 

April 15th. Thursday: The Worcester Guards and 
Light Infantry each met and voted to attend the funeral 
ceremonies for President Harrison. 

April 20th. At 5 o'clock Guard and Light Infantry 
on duty at the station to leave for Boston, where we 



23 

arrived at 8.30 o'clock. For five hours we marched 
through the streets before being dismissed. Arrived in 
Worcester at 6.30 o'clock. Our march this day was 
under Captain George Hobbs. 

May 20th. Old election day. The Guards were in- 
spected and paraded through the day under the new 
captain, George Hobbs. 

June 25th. Friday: Guards had a meeting and chose 
John Metcalf of South Worcester as third lieutenant. 
Paraded the remainder of the day. 

September 19th. Coming on Sunday the Guards cele- 
brated their anniversary on Saturday, i8th. The new 
drill went off finely. Out all day. 

October 6th. Worcester Guards paraded, preceded by 
eight pieces of Boston Brass Band. In the afternoon 
took coaches for West Bojdston, pitched our tents on the 
Common near the church, for the muster of the next day. 

October 12th. Volunteer parade. Paid our compli- 
ments to Gov. John Davis, where we were hospitably 
entertained. 

October 27th. Boston Brass Band gave a fine con- 
cert, the proceeds to assist in meeting expenses at to- 
morrow's parade. Kendall's bugle the great attraction. 
We marched everywhere to give every one a chance to 
hear the bugle. In the evening gave a supper to a few 
Whig citizens at the Eagle Hotel, corner of Main and 
Thomas streets. 

February 22, 1842. The Worcester Guards having 
decided to have a ball, it passed off finely. Gen. Under- 
wood of Milford and Col. Foster of Worcester were 
present. 



24 

May 25th. Wednesday: Old election day; according 
to law, the Guards paraded. 

May 25 th. Worcester Light Infantry met for choice 
of officers. By choice of field officers Capt. George Hobbs 
was promoted to lieutenant colonel. 

August 6th. Worcester Guards had an election, which 
resulted in: Captain, Leonard Poole; First Lieutenant, 
George B. Conklin ; Second Lieutenant, John Metcalf ; 
Third Lieutenant, L. Lincoln Newton. 

September 19th. After weekly drills we celebrated 
our anniversary. 

October 3d. Preceded by Boston Brass Band, at 9.30 
o'clock, roll called for parade. After dinner Worcester 
Light Infantr^^ and Worcester Guards took coaches for 
Upton; there pitched our tents for the night. At 6 
o'clock A. M. the Guards were on duty. After the live- 
liest cold water spree I ever saw, no company on the 
field compared with us in promptness, drill and manoeu- 
vres. At 5 o'clock reached Worcester, where we paraded 
to give the people a chance to hear Kendall's bugle — 
heavenly music. 

December 17th. Saturday: The Worcester Guards 
came out this severe cold day for choice of officers: 
Captain, George B. Conklin; First Lieutenant, L. Lincoln 
Newton; Third Lieutenant, Edwin Eaton. Many new 
members. 

The City Guards, under Capt. J. M. Goodhue, left 
Worcester Saturday afternoon, July 2, 1854, for Norwich, 
Conn., and encamped on Little Plain. Attended church 
in fatigue dress on Sunday, and on Monday, the 4th, 
astonished the citizens by appearing in white uniforms 



25 

and bearskin caps, they supposing the Sunday dress was 
their regular uniform. 

They did escort for the procession and were guests at the 
dinner, where they received many flattering compliments. 

Lieut. George H. Ward made a speech in response to 
the toast, " Our escort and our guests." Sergt. Hathaway 
went off in a blaze of enthusiasm over the ladies of 
Norwich. 

In the evening the company took the boat of Norwich 
& New York Co. for New York, by invitation of William 
Converse, Esq., of Norwich, superintendent. Visited 
Hoboken, dined at the Erving House, and returned next 
evening to Norwich and for home. 

August I, 1853. The N. Y. Light Guard, Maj. Vincent 
in command, arrived from Boston in the afternoon, ac- 
companied by Gen. Edmands, commander of ist Division, 
M. V. M., and staff; Col. Holbrook and staff, ist Regi- 
ment, M. V. M. The Guards entertained them with 
collation at the Armory. The Light Guards left for New 
York at 8 p. m., after which the Guards gave a supper 
at Worcester House, and at midnight their guests de- 
parted. 

January 15, 1853. Ward, Sprague and Hathaway 
were commissioned at Gen. Hobbs' office. 

May 29, 1854. The Guards paraded at 2.30 r. M. (no 
guns) in full dress. Made fine appearance; were enter- 
tained at a collation by Gen. Hobbs at his residence on 
State street, now occupied by the Worcester Natural 
History Society. 

August 29th. Encamped at Leominster (Camp Wash- 
ington). Brigade was formed on Leominster Common 



26 

and marched to camp. In afternoon inspection and re- 
view by Gen. Stone, adjutant general of Massachusetts, 
30th Battalion. Brigade drill 31st, reviewed by Gov. 
Gardner at 1 1 o'clock, and by major general at 2.30. 

October 1 1 th. Went to Clinton for target practice. 
Prizes awarded to T. G. Bancroft and Homer B. Sprague. 
Appropriate remarks were made. 

April 24th, 1855. Voted to admit twenty members, 
uniform and equip them free of expense. 

May I St. Admitted a dozen or more members. 

October, 1857. The Amoskeag Veterans of Manches- 
ter, N. H., visited Worcester en route to Washington to 
visit Pres. Franklin Pierce, an old member. They took 
possession of the White House and held high carnival. 

They were received by the City Guards at the Armory 
on Foster street, where a collation was served. Ex-Gov. 
Lincoln made a speech of welcome and Godspeed. They 
were then escorted by the officers of the City Guards to 
the Worcester House, where they dined. 

After dinner and a short march through Main street, 
they were escorted to the railroad station, and left for 
Washington and fun ahead. 

June 16, 1858. The Boston Light Infantry, , under 
Capt. Chas. O. Rogers (a Worcester boy), visited Worces- 
ter en route from New York. They were received by the 
City Guards, escorted through Main street, thence to 
Brinley hall, where dinner was served, at which Maj. 
Edwin Bynner made a very humorous speech, as he was 
very apt to do. 

There was a large painting hung over the street, show- 
a tiger and a Guard shaking paws, drawn by Sergt. 




GEO. H. WARD— 1852. 



27 

George A. Johnson, who had a genius in that line. 
They departed in the evening for Boston. 

While here, they were reviewed at City Hall by Hon. 
Isaac Davis, mayor, at whose house they lunched. 
Fiske's Band furnished the music. 

July 6th, 1859. Worcester City Guards received rifles 
with sabre bayonets. 

September 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th. "Camp Massachusetts," 
Commander-in-Chief Gov. N. P. Banks in command. On 
the afternoon of the 6th the troops marched to the Con- 
cord monument and thence to the camp, where the troops 
were daily drilled by their several brigadiers. On the 
9th, grand review with Gen. John E. Wool, U. S. A., 
reviewing officer, after which the troops were closed en 
iliasse and were addressed by Gov. Banks, Gen. Wool 
and Gen. Sutton. 

July 4th the Guards celebrated the day at Lake Quin- 
sigamond, Capt. Ward in command. 

At the thirty-fifth anniversar}- (1875) the Guards were 
invited by their chaplain. Rev. T. E. St. John, to attend 
his church, the First Universalist, who first gave a historic 
sketch of the company and then preached an eloquent 
sermon from the text, " I beseech you, brethren, in the 
service of God, that you present your bodies a living 
sacrifice, holy and acceptable, unto God which is your 
reasonable service." Romans xiv : 11. 



Gen. George Hull Ward 

Was born in Worcester, April 26, 1826. At the age of 
twenty-one he enlisted in the Worcester City Guards, 



28 

and through various grades rose to the command in 
1852. 

He had risen to the rank of brigadier general of the 
5th Brigade just before the war began, and in the 
school of the soldier, the company, the battalion and 
evolutions of the line, he had no superior in the volunteer 
militia, as testified to by his ever loving comrade and 
friend, Gen. Sprague, in his eloquent address at the 
dedication of his monument at Gettysburg, which has 
already been published. 

"His army record was short, and may be told in few 
words: Lost a leg at Ball's Bluff, killed at Gettysburg. 
At a glance he seems to have been most unfortunate, but 
he enlisted to serve his country; and to have gone to the 
"front with the 1 5 th Mass. Regiment, recruited, disciplined, 
schooled in the art of war by himself alone ; to have re- 
turned to that regiment with a wound that never healed, 
because he thought they needed him ; to have fallen on 
the field of Gettysburg while in command of that regi- 
ment of which he was so proud, as he stood waiting the 
call for fiercer conflict, summoned by a higher Power; — to 
have left such a record, who would not gladly lay down 
this mortal life to join the heroes on the other side?" 

Tributes of love and gratitude have been paid to his 
memory by his loving comrades, by his native city, and 
by all who knew and therefore loved him truly. But his 
modesty would shrink from any undue praise for what to 
him was simple duty. 

Upon the formation of the association of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, his comrades, as a tribute of affec- 
tionate remembrance and of gratitude for his services, 




COL. J. M. GOODHUE— 1850. 



29 

named Post lo of this city "the George H. Ward Post." 
Gen. Ward, when he died, left a wife and two sons, to 
whom his memory is an inheritance priceless above all 
things else, and whose fame is their most sacred, loving 
trust. 

Col. J. M. Goodhue 

Joined the Guards in 1848; was soon appointed orderly 
sergeant, and was elected captain in 1850. When he 
assumed command, the company was at a rather low ebb, 
there being but twenty-four men on the roll, and their 
property consisting of three old tents bought of the 
Sterling company and a cap and jacket for each man. 
When he left them three years later, they had sixty odd 
men, and property to the amount of several hundred 
dollars, and stood at the head of the M. V. ]\I. in drill 
and discipline. In 1851 a new uniform was procured of 
white cloth and red turnouts, with bearskin caps and side 
hangers with black belts. A contribution of $400 was 
received from the citizens for the hangers and belts, each 
member paying for his own uniform. 

A picture of the company drawn up in line before the 
Central Exchange on their first parade in new uniform is 
still extant and will be reproduced in this volume. Capt. 
Goodhue was a born soldier, and had the faculty of im- 
parting instruction and inspiring manliness and esprit 
de corps in his pupils. He was teacher of tactics at 
Highland Military Academy under C. B. Metcalf, Esq., 
proprietor, and made its pupils celebrated, not only for 
drill and discipline, but for manliness and gentlemanly 
bearins-. 



30 

Was appointed captain in the U. S. service in 1862, 
and promoted to major after the war. 

An effort was made by Senator Hoar to have him re- 
instated in the U. S. service and put upon the retired 
list, but when disabled from duty he would have 
his adjutant make daily reports to him so, that the 
records of the army showed that while claiming to h,e 
disabled he was performing- his daily duties. The bill 
passed the Senate, but could not be carried through the 
House. 

Col. Goodhue was a great sufferer in his later life, and 
died lamented by all who had known his character of 
manliness and his love of the real and hatred of all 
shams. 

Gen. a. B. R. Sprague 

Joined the Guards March, 1844. Appointed sergeant 
of Company C, 8th Regiment of Infantry (Worcester 
Guards), July 4th, 1853 ; lieutenant and adjutant 8th 
Regiment Infantry, 5th Brigade and 3d Division, July 
17, 1 851; third lieutenant Company C (City Guards), 
Dec. 14, 1852; second lieutenant Company C, May 20th, 
1853; first lieutenant Company C, Jan. 12, 1857; 
captain aid-de-camp staff of Gen. S. H. Leonard Feb. 
22, 1858; first lieutenant Company A, Third Battalion 
of Rifles, Aug. ist, 1859; major brigade inspector to 
April 17th, 1 86 1. 

In service of the United States: Apr. 17th, 1861, 
captain of Company A, 3d Battalion Rifles ; Sept. 9th, 
1 86 1, lieutenant colonel 25th Massachusetts Volunteer 




GEN. A. B. R. SPRAGUE— 1861. 



Infantry; Oct. 29, 1862, colonel 5 1 st Massachusetts Vol- 
unteer Militia; Feb. ist, 1864, lieutenant colonel 2d 
Massachusetts Heavy Artiller)-, Volunteer; Sept. i8th, 
1865, colonel 2d Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Volun- 
teer. He was breveted brigadier general United States 
Volunteers for gallant and meritorious ser\dces during 
the war, and after nearly four yea.TS of service was mus- 
tered out Sept. 20th, 1865. 

For more than a quarter of a century he held impor- 
tant civil office (reported elsewhere). He has been depart- 
ment commander of Massachusetts G. A. R., junior vice 
commander of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of 
United States, vice-president of the Burnside Expedition 
and 9th Corps Association, president of the Roanoke As- 
sociation, I st president of the W. C. G. Veterans' Associa- 
tion and president of the 5 1 st Massachusetts Regiment 
Association. 

The honors he gallantly won in war he wears as a 
garland in peace, placed upon his brow by his appreciating 
fellow citizens, as mayor of this great and beautiful city 
of his lone-time residence and affections. 

Gen. Josiah Pickett 

Joined the state militia July, 1840, as a member of 
Company F, 6th Regiment, M. V. M. Passing through 
all the non-commissioned grades, was promoted to lieu- 
tenant in 1843. 

Coming to Worcester in 1855, he became a member of 
the City Guards in September of that year. Was corporal in 
1857, sergeant in 1858, promoted to second lieutenant 



32 

June, 1859, and first lieutenant in April, 1861 ; captain Com- 
pany A, 2 5tli Massachusetts, Sept., 1861; promoted to major 
Mar. 20, 1862, and breveted brigadier general U. S. V. 
to date from June 3, 1864, for gallant and meritorious 
service during the war ; especially for gallantry at Cold 
Harbor, Va., where he was severely wounded. 

After nearly four years of service he was mustered out 
Jan. 10, 1865, and retired to civil life, a record of which 
will be found under head of City Guards who have held 
offices of honor and trust in civil life. He is a member 
of the G. A. R., the Loyal Legion and several other 
army societies; president of the 25th Veteran Regiment 
Association, the Roanoke Association and the City 
Guards Veterans' Association. 

His gallantry and patriotic devotion as a soldier are only 
surpassed by his modesty as a citizen and his virtues as 
a man. 

Gen. Samuel H. Leonard 

Joined the Worcester Guards in the spring of 1846. 
Was appointed corporal in the fall of same year. Elected 
fourth lieutenant Apr. loth, 1847; promoted to first lieuten- 
ant June 1 8th, 1849; promoted to major of 8th Regiment 
July 2ist, 1852; promoted to brigadier general 5 th Regi- 
ment, 3d Division, M. V. M., Mar. 25th, 1856; captain 
of Company A, 2d Regiment (Boston City Guards), Dec. 
26th, i860; elected major 4th Battalion Rifles Apr. 15th, 
1861 ; appointed colonel 13th Massachusetts July i6th, 
1861, in command of which he remained through the 
war, and made a record of which an}^ soldier may well be 
proud. 




GEN. JOSIAH PICKETT— 1861. 



But the misfortune he escaped in the war came later in 
his life, when, like his father, he became wholly blind. 
But though shut out from the light of life, he maintains a 
cheerful fortitude and lives in the comradeships of the past, 
and still retains an interest in the M. V. M., which caused 
him to have compiled from the records of the adjutant 
general's office a full roll of every officer who has held a 
commission in the Guards from 1840 to 1895, which he 
had framed and presented to the Society of Antiquity to 
hang in their library ; no less a present to the Guards 
that it is placed in safety from fire and for the public 
view. 

Orr Riot. 

In 1854, John S. Orr by name, but calling himself by 
the high sounding title the "Angel Gabriel," appeared in 
the streets with a brass trumpet, giving furious blasts 
from time to time and then predicting dire calamity to the 
countr}', writing the word "Gabriel" on the sidewalk. 

The next day he marched about the city blowing his 
trumpet, and drawing about him a crowd of men and 
boys and obstructing the street. At last the police felt 
obliged to interfere and took both him and his trumpet to 
the station house. Here he was kept for a while, and 
allowed to depart on condition he would leave the city 
and not return. 

About a week after this, Orr came back to the city. 
He began his walks and talks about the city, and again 
the police deemed it their duty to arrest him. He was 
taken to the police office about 7 P. m. on the i8th of 



May. A great crowd gathered about demanding his 
release and crying, "Take him out, take him out! " 

His Honor Mayor J. S. C. Knowlton was called to 
the police office by Chief Marshal Lovell Baker, and he 
quietly but earnestly requested the crowd to disperse, 
saying it was his duty to see that the man was safely 
kept to answer the charges ; but without effect. Stones 
were thrown at the building and windows were broken. 

The crowd increased and became more clamorous and 
excited. The mayor, in order to prepare for any emer- 
gency that might arise, sent word to George H. Ward, 
captain of the City Guards, then considered one of the 
best disciplined military organizations in the state, re- 
questing him to assemble his command at once and await 
orders from him. 

Mayor Knowlton then read the riot act, and com- 
manded all persons present who were disposed to sustain 
the supremacy of the law immediately to retire to their 
homes. The sheriff of the county, George W. Richard- 
son, was also present and tried to persuade the crowd to 
disperse. While upon the sidewalk near the police 
office, the sheriff was struck by a paving stone from the 
hands of one of the rioters, but he succeeded in arresting 
his assailant and taking him to the lock-up. 

The mayor then ordered Capt. Ward to report himself 
and command forthwith at the City Hall, provided with 
ball cartridges. As we should expect from what we now 
know of the prompt response of this command to more 
serious fighting seven years after, they at once marched 
to the police office, and, having drawn up in line, pro- 
ceeded to load their muskets, but fortunately they were 



commanded by one who was calm and collected, and who 
could not be excited by the taunts of the mob into any 
hasty or inconsiderate action. Their presence and the 
police soon had their effect upon the more reasonable men 
and the crowd. Several of the most excited were arrested, 
and by 1 1 o'clock the streets were cleared and good order 
prevailed. The military quartered for the night in the 
City Hall. 

The officers of the City Guards present at this time 
were George H. Ward, captain; A. B. R. Sprague, first 
lieutenant; S. V. Stone, second lieutenant; Samuel 
Hathaway, third lieutenant. 

In thirty minutes after Capt. Ward had received his 
orders from the mayor, a goodly number of the command 
were in the Armory prepared for duty. At about mid- 
night the Guards marched to their Armory, deposited 
their arms and then partook of a collation by invitation 
of the mayor at the American Temperance House. 

The company assembled the next morning, but were 
called upon for no further service. They were visited 
during the forenoon by several prominent citizens, includ- 
ing the sheriff and ex-United States Marshal Charles 
Devens. The mayor made a short speech to the com- 
pany, thanking them for their services and prompt 
response to his call. 

The muskets being loaded, it was necessar}^ to with- 
draw the charges, and to do this it was decided to have 
a little target shoot. The company, then, in the after- 
noon marched to the " Jo Bill " road, fired at a target 
set up there three rounds. 

For facts of this episode we are indebted to a paper 



read before the Societyof Antiquity by Nathaniel Paine, 
Esq., April ist, 1884. 

The Worcester City Guards Veteran Association 

Was formed February 19, 1886, for the purpose (as stated 
in a paper read at meeting) of cultivating and perpetu- 
ating the friendly relations between past and present 
members and to celebrate the anniversaries of the forma- 
tion of the company, and to assist in sustaining the past 
honorable name and record of the Worcester City Guards. 
Col. J. ^I. Goodhue was imanimously elected president, 
but for reason of his ill health declined the honor, and 
Gen. A. B. R. Sprague was elected president, Gen. Josiah 
Pickett, Gen. R. H. Chamberlain and E. R. Shumway 
were elected vice-presidents ; Capt. E. A. Wood, secre- 
tary; C. B. Whiting, treasurer. 

In 1S90 (the half century anniversary) the veterans 
gave a banquet to the young Guards and other guests, 
at the banquet hall in the Annory building, which was 
finely decorated for the occasion. About two hundred 
and seventy members and guests were present. Gen. 
Pickett, president, presided, made a few introductory 
remarks of welcome, and paid a feeling tribute to Col. 
Goodhue. He then announced Gen. Sprague as presid- 
ing officer, who performed the duties in his usual grace- 
ful manner, and showed whether it be the tongue of 
eloquence or the sword of valor he was called to wield, 
he was equally at home with either. 

The first toast, "The United States," was responded 
to by (jcn. Chas. Devens, who gave a short history of 
the 3d Battalion in the service of the United vStates, 



3/ 



and which speech proved to be, alas, his farewell speech 
to the Guards. Col. F. W. Wellington responded for 
Massachusetts in a speech of praise for M. V. M. Col. 
Ivers Phillips of Colorado, captain of the Worcester Light 
Infantry in 1841, made a speech of reminiscences of 
old times ; spoke of collation of peace tendered to the 
Guards in 1841, when both companies were on parade 
on the same day, and which was accepted, and at the 
Worcester House speeches of conciliation were uttered 
which had a good effect in reuniting the two companies 
in good fellowship, which has continued to the present 
time. The mayor, F. A. Harrington, spoke for the "City 
of Worcester," Capt. T. G. Davis for the Worcester Light 
Infantry, Capt. Geo. L. Allen for Battery B, Capt. W. 
Regan for Emmet Guards, Capt. John Lepire for Post 
10, Capt. Condy for Worcester City Guards; "Our coun- 
try and our flag," b}^ Col. W. S. B, Hopkins, an eloquent 
tribute to "Old Glory;" Gen. R. H. Chamberlain spoke 
for Chamberlain Battery, now Battery B; Hon. Julius 
L. Clarke and Lieut. Hathaway for Old Guards, 1840. 
Col. J. M. Goodhue, Hon. Stephen Salisbury, Gen. S. H. 
Leonard, F. P. Goulding, Esq., and others spoke briefly. 

Lieut. Jas. Early presented prizes won at target 
shoot in the morning, as follows : Sergt. John D. Green, 
company gold medal; Capt. C. J. Boyden, gold watch 
chain; Capt. C. W. L., set of opera glasses; vSergt. 
John D. Jefferson, gold watch chain ; Lieut. E. G. Bar- 
rett, revolver; Priv. W. H. Farnsworth, gold pen and 
holder ; Priv. Frank W. King, toy musket (unequaled) ; 
marksman of actives, Priv. C. W. Willard, gold scarf-pin. 
Honorary members: Maj. E. R. Shumway, gold-headed 



3^ 

•umbrella ; Lieut. F. B. Fay, order for silk handkerchief ; 
Lieut. Jas. Early, order for silk handkerchief. 

Many letters of regret were read for non-appearance. 
There were present as guests: Judge Utley, Col. J. M. 
Drennan, D. N. Pratt, C. B. Metcalf, Esq., Highland 
Academy, W. F, Pond, commander-in-chief of the strag- 
glers, and others. 

The City Guards in the Rebellion. 

Early in the spring of 1861 the Worcester City 
Guards were without a captain, Lieut. Edwin A. Wood 
commanding. About forty names were borne upon the 
roll. 

When the militia was called to active service, A. B. R. 
Sprague, an old Guard, then brigade major of the 5th 
Brigade, was unanimously elected captain, and assumed 
command on the 17th day of April. The ranks were 
promptly filled, and many applicants for membership 
failed to secure admission. 

Second Lieut. Josiah Pickett was elected first lieuten- 
ant ; George C. Joslin, second lieutenant ; Orson Moulton, 
third lieutenant; Elisha A. Harkness, fourth lieutenant. 

On the 1 8th day of April, Capt. Sprague was ordered 
to muster forthwith the company for active service, and 
on the 20th left the state as a part of the 3d Batt. Rifles, 
Major Charles Devens, Jr., commanding. 

The partial destruction of railroad bridges between 
Baltimore and Havre de Grace closed that route to the 
capital, and the command embarked at New York on the 
steamer Ariel, and landed at Annapolis, Md., April 24th. 
On the 3d of May following they reached Fort McHenry 



39 

to reinforce the garrison, which consisted of only two 
companies of regular artillery, Major W. W. Morris 
commanding the post. 

The time was fully occupied in infantry and artillery 
drill, mounting heavy guns, and expeditions down the 
Chesapeake. The command suffered much by overwork. 
During the term they served under Generals Patterson, 
Banks, Cadwallader, Dix and Butler, and were mustered 
out of service August 3d, 

As a company it never again was called into the mili- 
tar}^ service of the United States, but fifty-six of those 
who again returned followed the fortunes of the old flag 
and were represented in fifteen regiments, seven as field 
officers, five commanding regiments, namely, the 15 th, 
25th and 36th Infantry, and the 2d Heavy Artillery, and 
furnished line officers for the 21st, 22d and 34th Massa- 
chusetts, /th Connecticut, 7th Maine, i02d New York, 
United States Infantry, Ira Harris Cavalr}^, ist North 
Carolina Volunteers and United States Colored Troops. 

Among the killed in battle were Captains Shaw, 7th 
Maine ; Burdick, 7th Conn., who fell on the same assault 
at Port Wagner; Lieuts. Mathews and Pelton of the 25th 
Mass., at Cold Harbor; Lieut. Daniels of the 36th Mass., 
at Spottsylvania ; Lieut. Bacon of i02d New York, at 
Chancellorsville. 

The company officers entered the volunteer services 
as follows: — 

Major E. A. Harkness, Lieut. Co. A, 3d Batt, Rifles, 
Adjt. 25th Mass., Major 51st Mass. 

Captain F. E. Goodwin, Lieut, and Capt. 25 th Mass. 
Wounded at Petersbure. 



40 

Capt. J. M. Coe, 3d Batt. and nth U. S. Infantry. 

Capt. G. W. Rockwood, 15 th Mass. Prisoner at Ball's 
Bluff. 

Capt. L. Wageley, 2 5tli Mass. 

Capt. J, C. Wyman, 33d Mass. 

Capt. Wm. Emery, Lieut, and Capt. 2 5tli Mass. 

Capt. James J. McLane, 3d Batt. Rifles and 25th Mass., 
Lieut, and Capt. ist N. C. Union Vols. Wounded. 

Capt. C. B. Shaw, 3d Batt. Rifles and 9th Maine. 
Killed at Fort Wagner. 

Capt. E. A. Morse, 25th Mass., Lieut, and Capt. 36th 
Mass. Wounded in the Wilderness. 

Capt. John Gibbs, 3d Batt. Rifles, ist U. S. Arty. 
Wounded. 

Capt. E. P. Woodward, Lieut, and Capt. 15 th Mass. 

Capt. James M. Hervey, 25th Mass., Lieut, and Capt. 
ist N. C. Vols. Died at Newbern. 

Capt. Melville Walker, 3d Batt. Rifles, Lieut, and Capt. 
34th Mass. 

Capt. O. F. Stebbins, 7th N. H. Vols. 

Capt. E. A. Wood, 5 ist, Mass. 

Capt. Horace Hobbs, 51st Mass. 

Capt. T. R. Burdick, 3d Batt. Rifles, 7th Conn. Killed 
at Fort Wagner. 

Capt. E. E. Howe, 3d Batt. Rifles, Lieut, and Capt. 
2 ist Mass. 

Capt. Jalaam Gates, 3d Batt. Rifles, Capt. 2d N. C. 
Colored Troops. Wounded at Olustee. 

Capt. M. B. Bess.ey, 3d Batt. Rifles, Lieut, and Capt. 
25th Mass. Wounded at Petersburg, Va. 

Capt. John W. Davis, Lieut, and Capt. 25 th Mass. 
Wounded at Petersburg. 

Capt. R. H. Chamberlain. 5 1 st Mass. and Capt. 60th 
Mass. 

Capt. Wm. R. Steele, 3d Batt. Rifles, Lieut, and Capt. 
15 th Mass. 



41 

Capt. J. W. Pomeroy, 12th Maine. 

Capt. Joseph M. Richards, loth Ohio Vols. 

Capt. Lebbeus Brown, N. Y. Vols. 

Capt. Eugene T. Miles, 53d Mass. 

Capt. J. B. Goodell, 5 1 st Mass. 

Capt. Frank Bacon, 3d Batt. Rifles. i02d N. Y. 
Killed at Chancellorsville. 

Lieut. Chas. B. Cutler, 34th Mass. 

Lieut. Ceorge vS. Campbell, 25 th Mass. 

Lieut. Geo. H. Spaulding, 25th Mass. 

Lieut. George Burr, 3d Batt. Rifles and 25th Mass. 
Wounded at Cold Harbor. 

Lieut. Henry M. Mathews, 3d Batt. Rifles, 25th Mass. 
Killed at Cold Harbor. 

Lieut. H. M. Daniels, 3d Batt. Rifles, 34th Mass. Killed 
in the Wilderness. 

Lieut. Dwight Newbury, Adjt. 15th Mass. Killed at 
Mine Run., Va. 

Lieut. Charles K. vStoddard, 3d Batt. Rifles, 21st Mass. 
Killed in service. 

Lieut. Charles H. Pelton, 3d Batt. Rifles, 25th Mass. 
Killed at Cold Harbor. 

Lieut. George A. Johnson, 3d Batt. Rifles, 25th Mass. 
and 6 1 St Mass. Wounded at Cold Harbor, 

Lieut. L. Caswell, 3d Batt. Rifles and i ith Maine. 

Lieut. C. N. Harrington, 3d Batt. Rifles and 51st Mass. 

Lieut. W. Cheney, U. S. Colored Troops. 

Lieut. A. A. Livermore, 3d Batt. Rifles, 21st Mass. 

Lieut. Harry T. Bradish, 3d Batt. Rifles, 51st Mass. 

Lieut. C. B. Kendall, 3d Batt. Rifles, Adjt. 25th Mass. 

Lieut. L. H. Bigelow, 3d Batt. and 51st Mass. 

E. W. Adams, ist Sergt. Co. A, 3d Batt. Rifles; E. G. 
Watkins, Commissary Sergt. 25th Regt.; A. Patterson, 
Sergt. 2ist Regt., wounded at Newbern; Walter S. Bug- 
bee, Sergt. 25th Regt., prisoner at Andersonville ; E. A. 
Rice, Sergt. 15th Regt.; Charles Ward, 3d Batt. Rifles; 



42 

Henry S. Baker, 15th Regt., wounded; George E. Patch, 
57th Regt., wounded at Spottsylvania ; W. R. Chapman, 
25th Regt, died at Millen, Ga., prisoner; F. L. R. Goes, 
Sergt. 25th Regt.; Herbert J. Kendall, Sergt. 51st N.Y. 
Regt, killed at Newbern; G. N. Ayer, ist Regt., H. A., 
wounded at Petersburg; Horace Poole, 3d Batt. Rifles; 
W. B. White, 3d Batt. Rifles; John Gaffne}^ 15th Regt.; 
W. W. Sprague, Corpl. 25th Regt; James Taylor, 15th 
Regt; 15th Regt.; Joel W. Green, vSergt. ist Mass. 
Cavalry, died in service ; Charles H. Munroe, Corpl. 
25th Regt.; W. H. Aldrich, 3d Batt.; D. H. Mclver, 
Sergt. 34th Regt; George P. Bigelow, 3d Batt; J. H. 
Fuller, Corpl. 25th Regt.; W. H. Wood, 56th Regt; 
James Stewart, 3d Batt. 25th Regt.; Lewis C. Champney, 
25th Regt.; Geo. E. Warren, Sergt. 34th Regt.; William 
H. Heywood, 3d Batt. N. H. Regt.; John A. Thomp- 
son, 25th Regt; W. L. Newton, 3d Batt.; Edwin 
L. Dodge, Sergt. 51st Regt.; N. S. Liscomb, Sergt, 
Maj. 3d Batt.; C. S. Bartlett, 3d Batt.; Corpl. 25th 
Regt, wounded at Roanoke; C. H. Bond, 25th Regt; 
John Savage, 25th Regt., died prisoner, Richmond; A. 
M. Parker, 3d Batt.; H. E. Cunningham, 3d Batt.; E. Cut 
ting, 3d Batt.; James vS. vSlocum, 3d Batt.; Henry Mellen, 
3d Batt.; C. A. Wesson, 3d Batt., Sergt. 25th Regt; James 
M. Cummings, 3d Batt.; Thomas Gleason, 3d Batt., Sergt. 
25th Regt.; B. A. Bottomly, 3d Batt.; G. W. Hatch, 3d 
Batt.; Charles Davis, 1 5th Regt., died in service ; S. A. Slo- 
cumb. 3d Batt.; G. Wakefield, 3d Batt; John Wheeler, 3d 
Batt., Sergt. 5 ist Regt; Preston A. Champney,- 2 5th Regt., 
died aprisoner; Chas. F. Fairbanks, 3d Batt; John M. Che- 
ney, 3d Batt., Sergt. 51st Regt; Wm. E. Starr, 3d Batt; 
Chas. Henry, 3d Batt 25th Regt.; Edwin A. Moody, 25th 
Regt., wounded at Cold Harbor; Henry Waters, 25th 
Regt; Francis J, Plummer, 3d Batt.; J. Frank Alden, 3d 
Batt; A. H. Gilbert, 3d Batt, died at Fort McHenry; 
Charles Rugg, 34th Regt.; W. C. Smith, 34th Regt.; Wm. 



43 



H. Wardwell, 25th Regt.; George L. Bliss, Corp. 51st 
Regt.; Geo. P. Harlow, hospital steward, 51st Regt; H, 
A. Moen, 3d Batt.; D. E. Denny, 426. Mass.; Frank Eaton, 
died in Andersonville. 



Roll of Honor op^ the City Guards in the War. 

Many of the following commissioned officers served as 
privates and non-commissioned officers in the organiza- 
tions specified, their highest rank being given in the last 
organization in which they ser^^^ed : 

Gen. S. H. Leonard, Col. 13th Mass. Wounded at 
Gettysburg. 

Gen. Geo. H. Ward, Lieut. Col. and Col. 15th Mass. 
Lost leg at Ball's Bluff; killed at Gettysburg. 

Gen. John B. Wyman, Col. 13th Illinois. Killed before 
Vicksburg. 

Gen. A. B. R. Sprague, Captain Co. A, 3d Batt. Rifles, 
Lieut. Col. 25th Mass., Col. 51st Infantry and 2d Mass., 
H. A. 

Gen. Josiah Pickett, ist Lieut. 3d Batt, Rifles, Capt, 
Major and Col. 25th Mass. Wounded at Cold Harbor. 

Gen, A, A, Goodell, Adjt. 3d Batt. Rifles, Capt. and 
Lieut. Col. 36th Mass. Wounded at Knoxville. 

Col. J. M, Goodhue, Adjt, 3d Batt. Rifles, Capt, and 
Major nth U. S. Infantry. Wounded at Gettysburg. 

Col. Geo. C. Joslin, Lieut. 3d Batt. Rifles, Capt., 
Major and Lieut. Col. 15th Mass. Wounded at Antietam 
and taken prisoner at Mine Run, Va, 

Lieut. Col, Walter N, Batchelder, 1 3th Mass, 

Lieut. Col. Homer B. Sprague, 13th Conn. Wounded, 
Dept. of the Gulf. 

Lieut. Col. Orson Moulton, 2d Lieut. 3d Batt. Rifles, 
Captain and Lieut. Col. 25 th IMass. Taken prisoner at 
Cold Harbor. 



44 

Lieut. Col. D. M. Woodward, Lieut. 25th Mass., Lieut. 
Col. 6otli Mass. 

Lieut. Col. J. M. Tucker, Co. A, 25th Mass., Lieut., 
Capt., Major and Lieut. Col. S/th Mass. Wounded at 
Petersburg. 

Lieut. Col. James H. Corbin, Conn. Vols. 

Major George M. Curtis, 3d Batt. Rifles, N. Y. Vols., 
Adjt. 25tli Mass., Major 51st Mass. 

Captain F. E. Goodwin, Lieut, and Capt. 2 5tli 
Mass. Wounded at Petersburg. 

Capt. J. M. Coe, 3d Batt. and i ith U. S. Infantry. 

Capt. G. W. Rockwood, i5tli Mass. Prisoner at Ball's 
Bluff. 

Capt. L. AVageley, 2 5tli Mass. 

Capt. J. C. Wyman, 33d Mass. 

Capt. Wm. Emery, Lieut, and Capt. 25th Mass. 

Capt. James J. McLane, 3d Batt. Rifles and 25th Mass., 
Lieut, and Capt. ist N. C. Union Vols. Wounded. 

Capt. C. B. Shaw, 3d Batt. Rifles and 9th Maine, 
Killed at Fort Wagner. 

Capt. E. A. Morse, 2 5tli Mass., Lieut, and Capt. 
36th Mass. Wounded in the Wilderness. 

Capt. John Gibbs, 3d Batt. Rifles, ist U. S. Arty. 
Wounded. 

Capt. E. P. Woodward, Lieut, and Capt. 15 th Mass. 

Capt. James M. Hervey, 25th Mass., Lieut, and Capt. 
istN. C. Vols. Died at Newbern. 

Capt. ]\Ielville Walker, 3d Batt. Rifles, Lieut, and Capt. 
34th Mass. 

Capt. O. F. Stebbins, 7th N. H. Vols. 

Capt. E. A. Wood, 51st Mass. 

Capt. Horace Hobbs, 5 i st Mass. 

Capt. T. R. Burdick, 3d Batt. Rifles, 7th Conn., killed 
at Fort Wagner. 

Capt, E. E. Howe, 3d Batt. Rifles, Lieut, and Capt. 
2 ist Mass, 



45 

Capt. Jalaam Gates, 3d Batt. Rifles, Capt. 2d N. C. 
Colored Troops. Wounded at Olustee. 

Capt. M. B. Bessey, 3d Batt. Rifles, Lieut, and Capt. 
25th Mass. Wounded at Petersburg-, Va. 

Capt. John W. Davis, Lieut, and Capt. 25 th Mass. 
Wounded at Petersburg-. 

Capt. R. H. Chamberlain, 51st Mass., and Capt. 60th 
Mass. 

Capt. Wm. R. Steele, 3d Batt. Rifles, Lieut, and Capt. 
15 th Mass. 

Capt. J. W. Pomeroy, 12th Maine. 

Capt. Joseph M. Richards, loth Ohio Vols. 

Capt. Lebbeus Brown, N. Y. Vols. 

Capt. Eugene T. Miles, 53d Mass. 

Capt. J. B. Goodell, 5 1 st Mass. 

Captain Frank Bacon, 3d Batt. Rifles, io2d N. Y. 
Killed at Chancellorsville. 

Lieut. Chas. B. Cutler, 34th Mass. 

Lieut, George. S. Campbell, 25th Mass. 

Lieut. George H. Spaulding, 25 th Mass. 

Lieut. George Burr, 3d Batt. Rifles and 25th Mass. 
Wounded at Cold Harbor. 

Lieut. Henry M. Mathews, 3d Batt. Rifles, 25th Mass. 
JCilled at Cold Harbor. 

Lieut. H. M. Daniels, 3d Batt. Rifles, 34th Mass. 
Killed in service. 

Lieut. Chas. H. Parker. Killed at Cold Harbor. 

Lieut. Geo. A. Joslin, 6ist Mass. Wounded at Cold 
Harbor. 

Lieut. L. Caswell, 3d Batt. Rifles and iith Maine. 

Lieut. C. N. Harrington, 3d Batt. Rifles and 51st Mass, 

Lieut. W. Cheney, U. S. Colored Troops. 

Lieut. A, A. Livermore, 3d Batt. Rifles, 21st Mass. 

Lieut, Harry T. Bradish, 3d Batt, Rifles, 51st Mass. 

Lieut, C. B, Kendall, 3d Batt, Rifles, Adjt. 25th Mass. 

Lieut. L. H. Bigelow, 3d Batt. and 51st Mass. . 



46 

Officers Commissioned in the Militia since the War, 
AND Who Served in the War. 

Gen. R. H. Chamberlain, Capt. in the Guards, Major 
and Col. loth Infantry and Brig. Gen. 3d Brigade, M, 
V. M. 

Major E. R. Shumway, 7th Vt., Capt. in the Guards, 
Major 2d Infantry, M. V. M. 

Col. J. A. Titus, 42d and 60th Mass., Capt. in the 
Guards, Lieut. Col. and A. A. G. 3d Brigade, M. V. M. 

Capt. W. H. King, 36th Mass., Capt. in the Guards, 
Major loth Infantry, M. V. M. 

Lieut. F. C. Thayer, 51st Mass., Lieut, in the Guards. 

Lieut. Jas. Long, 60th Mass., Lieut, in the Guards. 

Lieut. Jas. F. Meech, 14th Conn., Lieut, in the Guards. 

Lieut. J. B. Willard, 42d Mass., Lieut in the Guards. 

The company officers entered the volunteer service and 
were promoted as follows : 

Capt. A. B. R. Sprague to be lieutenant 25th Mass. 
Vols., colonel 51st Mass., colonel 2d Mass. Heavy Artil- 
lery, brigadier general United States Volunteers by 
brevet. 

ist Lieut. Josiah Pickett, captain, major and colonel 
25th Mass., brigadier general by brevet. 

2d Lieut. George C. Joslin, captain, major and lieu- 
tenant colonel 15 th Mass. 

3d Lieut. Orson Moulton, captain and lieutenant colo- 
nel 25 th Mass. 

4th Lieut. Elisha A. Harkness, first lieutenant and adju- 
tant 25th Mass., major 51st Mass. 

Nearly one hundred and fifty men who had sometime 
carried a musket in the ranks of the City Guards were 
in the Union Army in the war of the Rebellion, conspic- 
uous among whom were Brig. General John B. Wyman, 
who fell in command of his brigade at Vicksburg, and 



47 

Col. George H. Ward, the only colonel of a Massachu- 
setts reg-iment who fell at Gettysburg. 

Of those holding commissions in the great army of 
volunteers were one brigadier general, three brigadier 
generals by brevet, five colonels, eight lieutenant colonels, 
four majors, about twenty-five captains and twenty lieu- 
tenants. 

Twenty-three were killed or died in the service, and 
twenty-five others were wounded — seven died in rebel 
prisons. 

They fought in the Department of North Carolina and 
the Gulf, in the Army of the Potomac, the James, the 
Shenandoah, the Cumberland and the Ohio. 

They were faithful unto death, and left a record with- 
out a stain, of which their successors may be justly 
proud. 

Third Battalion of Rifles 

Was an outcome of the Guards, and included the Holden 
Rifles, Company B, and City Guards, Company A, under 
Major E. B. Stoddard, 1858. 

Battalion held a drill in Holden in 1858. It was a 
very stormy day and drill was held in Town Hall, Fiske's 
Band, M. Arbuckle leader, accompanied them and gave 
much pleasure by their high order of music, and became 
one of the best bands in the country; were attached to 
loth Regiment, M. V. M., Sept. i8th. 

Battalion had a drill at New Worcester, with a dinner 
given by the ladies in the new school-house. April 18, 
1 86 1, the following order was issued: 



48 
Headquarters 3D Battalion Rifles, 

Battalion Order No. — . To CaptaiiivS Sprague, 
Knowlton and McConville: — In pursuance to special 
order No. 3 1 , you are hereby ordered to muster forthwith 
the companies under your command and report for serv- 
ice. 

By order of Maj. Charles Devens, Jr. 

J. M. Goodhue, Adjt. 

April 20th orders were issued to report to Mayor 
Davis at 5 o'clock p. m. Battalion reported before the 
City Hall and were escorted by Highland Cadets and Old 
Guards to Mechanics hall, where Mayor Davis made an 
address to them. Rev. Dr. Hill offered prayer. Maj. 
Devens addressed them in an eloquent speech, saying 
among other things that the battalion was the unit 
around which every soldier should rally, forgetful of self, 
but loyal to the spirit of comradeship that should protect 
and defend each the other, even unto death. Exercises 
concluded by singing "Red, White and Blue" and "Mar- 
seillaise Hymn." 

The Battalion returned to quarters, and at 9,30 p. m. 
line formed, and escorted by Old Guards and citizens, 
marched to the railway station, and left Worcester at 10.30 
amid rousing cheers. Arrived in New York next morn- 
ing, when, after breakfast at Fifth Avenue Hotel, they 
marched to the beautiful Armory of the 7th Regiment, 
when the first blood of the Battalion was shed in the U. 
S. service. A soldier knocked down a stack of rifles, and a 
sharp sword bayonet pierced his leg and the blood flowed 
profusely. Later in the day Hon. Charles Sumner and 



49 

friends called and made a speech of Godspeed to the 
Battalion. 

In the afternoon a collation was taken at the Howard 
House by invitation of J. E. Kingsley, Esq., proprietor, 
and Lieut. Hathaway, then a boarder at the hotel, where 
they were met by a number of Worcester boys, residents 
in New York, who made up a purse of fifty dollars, placed 
in the hands of Maj. Devens, for the benefit of the boys 
as they might need it. In the evening they marched to 
the wharf, escorted by the Worcester boys and a large 
crowd of citizens, who gave them a rousing send-off for 
Annapolis by steamer Aerial, and for the unknown which 
was before them. 

Arrived at Annapolis April 24th, where they were soon 
visited by Hon. Dwight Foster, bringing letters from 
home. 

May ist Col. Ivers Phillips came bringing letters from 
home. While reading them orders came to pack up, and 
at 8 o'clock P. M. embarked for Fort McHenry. On the 
30th Adjt. Goodhue left, having been appointed major in 
the regular service. 

Officers of the Battalion were : 
Maj. Charles Devens, Jr., Worcester, Commander. 

J. M. Goodhue, " Adjutant. 

James E. Estabrook, " Qr. Mas. 

A. A. Goodell, " Adjutant. 

In place of Goodhue, promoted. 
Oramel Martin, Worcester, Surgeon. 

N. S. Liscomb, " Sergt. Maj. 

George F. ^hite, " Qr. Mas. Sergt. 

A. B. R. Sprague, " Capt. Co. A (C.G.) 



50 



Josiah Pickett, Worcester, ist Lieutenant. 

George C. Joslin, " 2d " 

Orson Moulton, " 3d " 

Elijah A. Harkness, " 4th 

E. W. Adams, " Sergeant. 

W. S. Bugbee, 

George A. Johnson, " " 

Charles A. Ward, 

James M. Harvey, " Corporal. 

George Burr, " " 

Henry Matthews, " " 

Calvin N. Harrington, New York, " 

W. H. Hey wood, Worcester, Musician. 

James Clement, " " 

Company B, Holden Rifles. 

Joseph H. Gleason, Holden, Captain. 

The Jackson Guards, organized in 1852, with Capt. 
O'DriscoU commander, were disbanded by Gov. Gardiner 
in "Know Nothing times," 1855, but were reorganized in 

1858 as an independent company, as the Emmet Guards, 
with following officers : 



M. S. McConville, 
M. S. Driscoll, 
Mathew McCarty, 
Thomas O'Neil, 



Worcester, Captain. 

" I St Lieutenant. 
2d 
3d 

(who died so bravely on field of battle). 
M . Maladin, Worcester, 4th Lieutenant. 

They were one of the first to tender their services to 
the government. The governor, on invitation of Maj. 
Devens, joined them to 3d Battalion as Company C. 
And though they may have borne in their hearts the love 




GEN. R. H. CHAMBERLAIN — 1860. 



51 

of the shamrock, there was no sham in their duty. But 
their devotion was as firm as the rock of ages, and their 
loyalty as true as that of the native-bom sons of the 
Puritans. None who ever sat around their camp-fire will 
ever forget the tuneful McConville and his musical 
comrades, who made the welkin ring with their songs of 
lofty cheer. 

Gen. Robert H. Chamberlain 

Joined the Guards early in i860. First parade at the 
Prince of Wales reception in Boston. Was a sergeant 
in company recruited by Capt. Ward and captain 
of Company F, 60th Regiment, both called City Guards, 
though perhaps without authority. Both of these com- 
panies were raised in Guards' Armory. Company F 
returned there and maintained its organization after its 
term of service in the field had expired. He recruited a 
company under his captain's commission held in the serv- 
ice and did not receive another. 

In June, 1866, the ist Battalion of Infantry, M. V. M., 
was formed, consisting of City Guards, Worcester 
Light Infantry and the Fitchburg Fusiliers, Capt. John 
W. Kimball. He was commissioned major June 8, 1866. 
Went to camp in 1866 in the ist Brigade at Sharon, 
Mass., and with unattached companies assigned paraded 
as a regiment. In June, 1867, the 3d Brigade was 
formed and he was commissioned brigadier general Dec. 
31, 1868, and continued in command until the reorganiza- 
tion of the military in 1876. He was instrumental in 
getting up a light battery called the Chamberlain Light 
Battery, since changed to Battery B. 



52 

1890. 

The state of Massachusetts, having learned by the past 
the value of our M. V. M., built a beautiful Armory for 
their comfort and accommodation at the corner of Salis- 
bury and Grove streets, at a cost of $125,000, under 
three commissioners : Gen. Josiah Pickett of Worcester, 
John Leighton of Boston, Joseph N. Peterson of Salem. 
Gov. Oliver Ames, commander-in-chief; Samuel Dalton, 
adjutant general, M. V. M. ; Fuller & Delano, architects; 
Cutting & Bishop, builders. 

Col. F. W. Wellington, then on the governor's staff, 
was a power in producing this result from his interest in 
the M. V. M., and is now, and has been through all 
changes of administration, the custodian of the building. 

Each company has beautifully appointed quarters, quite 
in contrast with Dr. Green's attic. By an arrangement 
of each company having a special evening of each week, 
they all have the benefit of a splendid drill hall. It is 
considered one of the finest armories in the country, and 
its effect is to keep the troops in a high state of drill and 
discipline by an honest rivalry and their facilities for 
company and battalion drills ; and the Guards of to-day 
fully sustain the reputation of the Guards of 1852, when 
they were at their best, and Capt. Barrett follows close 
in Capt. Goodhue's steps. 

Members of the City Guards who have held positions 
of honor and trust in civil life : Gen. Hobbs, alderman ; 
Lincoln Newton, cashier Worcester Bank; George C. 
Bigelow, cashier Central Bank ; S. V. Stone, superintend- 
ent of public schools ; John A. Dana, clerk of court ; 
William A. Smith, assistant clerk of courts and secretary 




CAPT. EDWIN G. BARRETT. 



Capt. Edwin G. Barrett was promoted from lieutenant 
May 1 8, 1892, and is now^ in command. The company 
is in a hio-h state of drill and discipline, and leads in 
athletics, which have become a part of a soldier's develop- 
ment. He holds his command more by affection than 
by commission. 



of Mechanics' Association ; Harvey B. Wilder, register of 
deeds; A. M. Parker, assessor of taxes; F. E. Goodwin, 
custom house official ; Col. J. M. Tucker, custom house 
official; Capt. W. B. Steele, member of Congress ; W. 
W. Sprague, Massachusetts Legislature ; Stephen P. 
Twiss, Massachusetts Legislature and judge in some 
western state ; Lieut. Samuel Hathaway, Com.mon 
Council, Board of Education, and historian of the Guards ; 
Gen. Josiah Pickett, custom house official, postmaster, 
commissioner on armories and license commissioner; 
Lieut. Francis Wayland, professor at Yale; George Sum- 
ner, successful merchant ; J. C. B. Davis, assistant secre- 
tary of state of the United States ; A. B. R. Sprague, 
collector internal revenue 8th Massachusetts district five 
years, sheriff Worcester county eighteen and one-half 
3^ears, vice-president Mechanics Savings Bank, alderman, 
Common Council, city marshal and present mayor of 
Worcester; Orson Moulton, department U. S. surveyor, 
custom house, Boston; George C. Joslin, department U. 
S. appraiser, custom house, Boston; G. W. Richardson, 
sheriff Worcester county, mayor of Worcester ; Gen. R. 
H. Chamberlain, superintendent of sewers city of Worces- 
ter, county sheriff Worcester county; Julius L. Clarke, 
auditor of the Commonwealth and insurance commis- 
sioner ; Francis A. Harrington, alderman and mayor of 
Worcester ; Eugene T. Miles, mayor of Fitchburg ; Frank 
P. Goulding, city solicitor city of Worcester. 

Roll of every officer who has held a commission in the 
Guards from 1840 to 1895, from records of adjutant 
general's office. Compiled by order of Gen. S. H. 
Leonard. 



54 
Ex. S. O. No. 1089, Headquarters, Boston, Oct. 25, '62. 

The two companies now in " Camp Wool," Worcester, 
commanded by Capt. Bascom and Capt. Prouty, are 
hereby attached to the 51st Regiment, M. V. M., of 
which they will hereafter form a part. Col. Ward will 
promulgate this order. 

By order, etc., 

Capt. Bascom, Com. Co. B, 3d Battalion Rifles, 

Capt. E. A.Wood, " A, " " " Worcester. 

Capt. Prouty, " D, " 

And by S. O. No. 12 10, Nov. 18, 1862, were assigned 
in 5 1 st Regiment (Col. Sprague) as follows : 

I St Co. A, Capt. Wood 6th Co. B, Capt. Bascom 

2d " C, " Higginson 7th " H, " Hobbs 

3d " D, " Prouty 8th - G, " F. D. Kimball 

4th " E, " Wheeler 9th " I, " Hunt 

5th " F, " Baldwin loth " K, " D.W.Kimball 

Ex. S. O. No. 130, Headquarters, Boston, Dec. 26, '66. 

The following named companies, at present constitut- 
ing the I St Battalion of Infantry, M. V. M., will be here- 
after designated and known as the loth Regiment of 
Infantry, and will be attached to the ist Brigade and 
Division of the Volunteer Militia : 

Company A, Worcester, Capt. Joseph A. Titus. 

Company B, etc. 

By order, etc., 
I Signed I James A. Cunningham, Adjt. Gen. 



55 



Captains in Company C, 8th Regiment, 5th Brigade, 
3D Division. 



Geo. Bo wen, 

Geo. Hobbs, 
Leonard Poole, 
Geo. B. Conklin, 
L. Lincoln Newton, 
Edwin Eaton, 
Chas. W. Longley, 
John M. Goodhue, 
Geo. H. Ward, 
A. B. R. Sprague, 
A. B. R. Sprague, 
Arthur A. Goodale, 
Edwin A. Wood, 



DATE OF COMMISSION. 



DISCHARGED OR PROMOTED. 



Aug. 6, 1840, Dis. Mar. 16, 1841. 

Apr. 7, 1 84 1, Pro. July, 1842. 

Aug. 6, 1842, Dis. Oct. 21, 1842. 

Dec. 17, 1842, Dis. Jan. 5, 1844. 

Jan. 27, 1844, Dis. Mar. 4, 1847. 

April 10, 1847, Dis. May 8, 1848. 

June 18, 1849, Pro. Col. June 8, 1850. 

June 28, 1850, Dis. Apr. 29, 1853. 
May 20, 1853,* Pro. Maj. Dec. 27, i860. 

Feb. 25, 1 86 1, refused to quahfy. 
Apr. 15, 1 86 1, Pro. L. Col. 25th Mass. Vols. 

May 26, 1862, refused to qualify. 
Aug. 7, i862.t 



Reorganized as Company A, ist Battalion, ist Bri- 
gade, 1ST Division, July, 1864, and New ioth 
Regiment in 3D Brigade, 1896. 

Robt. H. Chamberlain, July 31, 1864, Pro. Major June 8, 1866. 
Joseph A. Titus, July 6, 1866, Pro. Aug. 20, 1870 (Maj. and 

Asst. P. Genl.). 
Wm. H. King, Oct. 10, 1S70, Pro. Aug i, 1876 (Major). 

Edwin R. Shumway, Aug. 28, 1876, Pro. Mar. 11, 1884 (Major.) 



Company Transferred to 2d Regiment, M. V. M., and 
Known as Company A, G. O. No. 7, Dec. 3, 1878. 



Geo. H. Cleveland, Mar. 27, 1884, 

Wm. D. Preston, April 19, 1885. 

Wm. A. Condy, June 28, 1886. 

E. G. Barrett, July 18, 1888, 



Resgd. Feb. i, 1886. 



now in command. 



♦Company reorganized as Company A, 3d Battalion Rifles, with Geo. H. 
Ward as captain, Feb. 22, 1858. 

t Company transferred to 51st Mass. Vols. Sept 27, 1862. 



56 



First Lieutenants in Company C (Worcester Guards), 
8th Regiment, 5th Brigade, 3D Division. 



Geo. Hobbs, 
Leonard Poole, 
Geo. B. Conklin, 
Levi L. Newton, 
Edwin Eaton, 
Elbridge G. Pratt, 
Daniel W. Lincoln, 
Samuel H. Leonard, 
Geo. H. Ward, 
A. B. R. Sprague, 



DATE OF COMMISSION. 

Aug. 6, 1840, 
April 7, 1841, 
Aug. 6, 1842, 
Dec. 17, 1842, 
Jan. 27, 1844, 
Apr. 10, 1847, 
Mar. 27, 1849, 
June 18, 1849,* 
Dec. 14, 1852, 
May 20, 1853, 



DISCHARGED OR PROMOTED. 

Pro. Apr. 7, 1 84 1. 

Pro. Aug. 6, 1842. 

Pro. Dec. 17, 1842. 

Pro. Jan. 27, 1844. 

Pro. Apr. 10, 1847. 

refused to qualify. 

refused to qualify. 

Pro. Major July 21, 1852. 

Pro. Capt. May 20, 1853. 

Resgd. Nov. i, 1856. 



Now Company A, 30 Battalion Rifles, 5th Brigade, 
3D Division. 



A. B. R. Sprague, 
Edwin A. Wood, 
Josiah Pickett, 

Edward W. Adan^s, 
John W. Sanderson, 



Feb. 22, 1858, 
June 7, i860, 
Apr. 17, 1861, 

May 26, 1862, 
Sept.. 30, 1862, 



Resgd. May 14, 1859. 

Resgd. Apr. 15, 1861. 

Capt. Oct. 12, 1861 (25th 

Mass. Vols.). 

Resgd. Sept. 3, 1862. 

Co. trans, to 51st Regt. 

Oct. 25, 1862. 



Company A, Now in ist Battalion Infantry, ist 
Brigade, ist Division. 



Joseph A. Long, 
Frank L. R. Goes, 

Wm. H. King, 
Frank A. Harrington, 
Chas. H. Parker, 
Edwin R. Shumway, 
Chas. Tarbox, 
James E. Childs, 



Mar. 15, 1865, 
June 15, 1868, 

Dec. 14th, 1868, 
Aug. 9, 187 I, 
July 28, 1873, 
Jan. 18, 1875, 
Aug. 28, 1876, 
Aug. 19, 1878, 



Dis. May 22, 1865. 
Dis. Nov. 10, i868, 
now in loth Regt. 
Pro. Oct. 10, 1870 
Dis. Apr. 25, 1873 
Dis. Dec. 16, 1874 
Pro. Aug. 28, 1876 
Dis. Aug. 6, 1878 
Dis. Mar. 20, 1879 



* Issued Jan. 22d. 



57 

Company was Transferred to Second Regiment, M. 

V. M., AND Known as Company A, by 

G. O. No. 7, Dec. 3, 1878. 



Forbes B. Fay, 
Wm. P. Stamp, 
Geo. H, Cleveland, 
James Early, 
Frank S. Hoyt, 



DATE OF COMMISSION. 

Mar. 29, 1879, 
Nov. 3, 1879, 
Aug. 20, 1880, 
Nov. 24, 1882, 
June 9, 1886, 



DISCHARGED OR PROMOTED 

Aug. 16, 1879 

Dis. Aug. 7, 1880 

Dis. Oct. 4, 1882 

Dis. Mar. 24, 1886 

present officer of Co 



Second Lieutenants in Company C (Worcester 
Guards), 8th Regiment, 5th Brigade, 3D Division. 



Leonard Poole, 
Geo. W. Richardson, 
Geo. B. Conklin, 
John Metcalf, 
Edwin Eaton, 
Elbridge G. Pratt, 
John B. Wyman, 

Ebenezer Harrington, 
Geo. H. Ward, 
A. B. R. Sprague, 
Samuel V. Stone, 



Aug. 6, 1840, 
Apr. 7, 1841, 
June 24, 1841, 
Aug. 6, 1842, 
Apr. 26, 1843, 
Jan. 27, 1844, 
Apr. 10, 1847, 

June 28, 1850, 
July 17, 1 85 1, 
Dec. 14, 1852, 
May 20, 1853, 



Pro. Apr. 7, 1 84 1. 

Pro. Aid to Com. -in-Chief. 

Pro. Aug. 6, 1842. 

Dis. Jan. 25, 1843. 

Pro. Jan. 27, 1844. 

Pro. Apr. 10, 1847. 

Trans, to Co. E, loth Regt. 

(ist Lieut.). 

Dis. Mar. 17, 185 1. 

Pro. Dec. 14, 1852. 

Pro. May 20, 1853. 

Resgd. Feb. 17, 1858. 



Now Company A, 30 Battalion Rifles, 5th Brigade, 
3D Division. 



Edwin A. Wood, 
Josiah Pickett, 
Geo. C. Joslin, 



Feb. 22, 1858, 
June 7, i860, 
Apr. 17, 1 86 1, 



Calvin N. Harrington, May 26, 1862, 



Pro. June 7, i860. 

Pro. Apr. 17, 1 86 1. 

Pro. Capt. Aug. 5, 1861. 

(15th Regt. Vols.). 

Co. Trans, to 51st Regt. 

(S. O. Oct., 1862). 



58 

Now Company A, ist Battalion, ist Brigade, ist 

Division, 1864, and Company A, ioth 

Regiment, M. V. M., Dec. 26, 1866. 

DATE OF COMMISSION. DISCHARGED OR PROMOTED. 

Joseph A. Titus, June 4, 1866, Pro. July 6, 1866, (Capt.). 

Frank L. R. Goes, July 6, 1866, Pro. June 15, 1868. 

Wm. H. King, June 15, 1868, Pro. Dec. 14, 1868. 

Frank E. Hall, Dec. 14, 1868, Pro. Oct. 10, 1870. 

Justin B. Willard, Oct. 10, 1870, Dis. Apr. 25, 1871. 

Everett A. Morse, Aug. 9, 187 1, Dis. Oct. 30, 1872. 

Edwin R. Shumway, Nov. 25, 1872, Pro. Jan. 18, 1875. 

James F. Meech, Jan. 18, 1875, Dis. Sept. i, 1876. 

Forbes B. Fay, Sept. 15, 1876, Pro. Mar. 29, 1879. 

Company A, Transferred to Second Regiment, M. V. 
M., G. O., No. 7, Dec. 3, 1878. 

Wm. J. Stamp, Mar. 31, 1879, Pro. Nov. 3 1879. 

Geo. H. Cleveland, Nov. 3, 1879, Pro. Aug. 20, 1880. 

Frank W. Barrett, Aug. 25, 1880, Dis. Jan. 14, 1884. Resgd. 

Wm. D. Preston, Jan. 25, 1884, Pro. Apr. 19, 1886 (Capt.). 

Frank S. Hoyt, Apr. 19, 1886, Pro. June 9, 1886. 

Wm. A. Condy, June 28, 1886, present officer of Co. 

Third Lieutenants Company C, 8th Command. 

Geo. W. Richardson, Aug. 6, 1840, Pro. Apr. 7, 1841. 

Geo. B. Conklin, Apr. 7, 1841, Pro. June 24, 1841. 

John Metcalf, June 25, 1841, Pro. Aug. 6, 1842. 

Levi L. Newton, Aug. 6, 1842, Pro. Dec. 17, '42 (ist Lieut.). 

Edwin Eaton, Dec. 17, 1842, Pro. Jan. 27, 1844. 

J. Baker Wyman, Jan. 27, 1844, Pro. Apr. 10, 1847. 

Chas. C. Chamberlain, April 10, 1847, Dis. Sept. 15, 1848. 

E. Harrington, Mar. 27, 1849, Pro. June 28, 1850. 

Geo. H. Ward, June 28, 1850, Dis. Apr. 9, 1851. 

A. B. R. Sprague, July 17, 185 1, Pro. Dec. 14, 1852. 

Samuel V. Stone, Dec. 14, 1852, Pro. May 20, 1853. 



59 



DATE OF COMMISSION. 



DISCHARGED OR PROMOTED. 



Sam'l Hathaway, 
Orson Moulton, 



May 20, 1853, (Co. Trans, to 3d Rifles) 

Letter A. 
3d Rifles Apr. 17, 1861, Lieut, in 15 th Regt. 
Vol. Aug. I, 1 86 1, refused commission. 



Fourth Lieutenants 8th Light Infantry Command. 



Sewell Thompson, 
Sam'l H. Leonard, 
Geo. H. Ward, 
Wm. A. Smith, 
Geo. G. Burbank, 
Sam'l Hathaway, 
Edw. W. Adams, 
Francis Wayland, Jr., 

Edwin P. Woodward,* 
Geo. C. Joslin,* 
Elijah A. Harkness,* 

* 3d Rifles, Company A. 



July 28, 1846, 
Apr. 10, 1847, 
June 18, 1849, 
June 28, 1850, 
July 17, 1851, 
Dec. 14, 1852, 
May 20, 1853, 
Apr. 30, 1855, 
Co. 
Feb. 22, 1858, 
July 19, i860, 
Apr. 17, 1 86 1, 



Deceased. 

Pro. June 18, 1849. 

Pro. June 28, 1850. 

Dis. May 7, 1851. 

Dis. Mar. 31, 1852. 

Pro. May 20, 1853. 

refused to qualify. 

(Co. Trans, to 3d Rifles, 

A.) Resgd. Feb. 17, 1858. 

Resgd. June 18, i860. 

Pro. Apr. 17, 1 86 1. 

ist Lieut, and Adjt. 25th 

Vol., Sept. 21, 1 86 1. 



ROLL OF OFFICERS OF WORCESTER CITY 
GUARDS, FEB. 24, 1896. 



THE PRESENT OFFICERS OF COMPANY. 



Captain, . Edwin G. Barrett, April 5, 1894 

ist Lieutenant, MoSES H. TiSDELL, July 18, 1888 

2d Lieutenant, FREDERICK H. LuCKE, April 5, 1894 




Q 

< 

D 
O 

o 

a 

Q 

< 
< 






RECEPTION OF 25th MASS. AT NEW YORK, 1862. 



A speech made before the 25th Mass., at the Astor 
House, New York, on their way to the front, and a poem 
read then — to which reference has been made in a pre- 
vious chapter — is herewith added by special request, 
even at the risk (as Col. Goodhue used to say) of getting 
my lip in too much. 

Remarks of vS. Hathaway. 
Colonel Upton and Officers : — 

I have joined in the reception of many regiments from 
old Massachusetts, because as a son of hers I could not 
but feel a pulse of pride and pleasure at the glorious 
histor\' she has made and is making — a history that 
makes her every son wherever on the face of God's 
green earth he has fixed his habitation, proud in his 
inner heart of his old Mother ; even though his outward 
surroundings should cause him to smother in secret his 
admiration, or swallow in the bitter depths of his soul 
the promptings of his filial love and loyal devotion. I 
have joined in them, too, because they have contained 
many who were known and loved by me. It was my 
good fortune to accompan}- the gallant Fifteenth from 
your city to this, and to bid them a Godspeed to those 



62 

fields of glory and of death ; — and oh, how it brings 
home to our own hearts the murderous wickedness of 
this cursed Rebellion, when our own loved comrades fall 
in the conflict ! Yet how it takes the sting of bitterness 
away when we know how heroically, how gloriously, they 
fell I Heroes to the last — heroes all ! The}^ passed 
from love and life through glory's gory gates to an 
immortality be3''ond. And those who escaped from the 
conflict : Col. Devens, the loved commander of so many 
of you of the Third Rifles — we all knew him worthy 
of our friendship and our love, for his generous heart 
and his manly nature ; but he has shown himself, by his 
cool courage and his brave generalship, worthy all confi- 
dence as a leader and a chief ! and our own intimate 
personal friend and associate officer of the old City 
Guard, Lieut. Col. Ward — shattered for life in limb, yet 
whole in soul as ever. His misfortune will bind him 
still more closely to our hearts, as they will enshrine him 
in the affections of a grateful and a generous people. 
And those less fortunate ones who were taken captive 
in the conflict, — God grant that they may soon be re- 
deemed untrammeled by any pledge of honor, to fight 
again as gloriously as before, and to avenge their brothers 
fallen. 

But I join in the welcome to-day with all my heart: 
not only because you come from the fresh green hills 
and pleasant valleys of my own native country, and bring 
in your presence fragrant memories of the past, as you 
come surrounded, too, with the loves and the blessings 
of those whom I love, and whom you have left behind 
you there — but because of those ties of brotherhood, 



formed by so many years of peaceful campaigning, that 
have bound us so closely and so dearly together, and you 
at least will believe me when I say that I would be in 
your ranks to-day but for duties I cannot shirk, and 
responsibilities I cannot lay aside with honor to myself 
and justice to others. 

In behalf of the sons of old Massachusetts, and in my 
own behalf as well, I welcome you to this their busy 
home, to the hospitalities of their festive board, and to 
the cordial greetings of their manly hearts. We welcome 
you as brothers ; for we feel that every heart-throb that 
stirred our hearts when we bade farewell to our old 
mother Commonwealth is alive to-day in all your hearts, 
in view of the sad, long, perhaps eternal, farewells that 
have just been spoken by you. We welcome you as 
brothers, claiming our love and admiration for your 
noble devotion to the cause of our common countr}^; 
and we bid you a Godspeed to join those other thou- 
sands gone and to come, till you can build, if need be, 
a living wall of loval hearts, picketed with glistening 
bayonets, all around our beloved land, binding it in an 
eternal and indissoluble union of patriotic love, of loyal 
devotion, — aye, and ma}^ be, of universal freedom, too ! 
(A long continued applause.) 

We know from whence you come, and the spirit that 
hath nursed you. We know you have learned b}^ heart 
that history written by the sword in the unfading ink 
of patriot blood on the fields of Lexington, of Concord, 
and of Bunker Hill. And we know that if you cannot 
all write as gloriously, you can at least — the humblest 
of you — make your -f- mark on the head of rebellion 



64 

that shall stand as an emblem of your catholic faith in 
the liberties your fathers have won and bequeathed unto 
you. 

We need not ask you, sons of Massachusets, for what 
are you going? We read it in the beaming eye, the firm 
tread, the lofty bearing of every manly form. To fight 
for our countr^^I O, that is a sentiment old as human 
nature, and taught you by all your sires. It was taught 
vou in the prophetic words of Warren, when cautioned 
not to expose himself in battle so. "O, 'tis sweet to die 
for one's country!" he said, and stood in the trenches 
still. 'Twas taught b}- the poor dying soldier when he 
wrote on a piece of paper, with a bit of stick dipped in 
his own flowing life-blood, " Rejoice, rejoice, my mother, 
for thy son dieth to-day for the liberties of his countr^^! " 

True, the rough cannon-plowed fields of '76 are grass 
grown green, and the red tide of Concord's bloody brook 
runs pure and crystal clear again ; but deep planted in 
the breasts of patriot sons, the seeds of that early spring- 
time are waving ripe for golden harvest, and the purple 
current of that flaming tide warms and fires millions 
of hearts with its pure, undying blaze of patriotism. 

To fight for our country ! And what is our country? 
Not the poor soil of its earthly body, — its mountains, 
its valleys, its laughing brooks and flowing rivers, its 
villages, towns and cities, — but the sublimer essence of 
its spiritual life — its Constitution and its Laws! A Con- 
stitution that, interpreted by the enlightened spirit of 
a Christian age, is possessed of an inborn immortality, 
without one single element of suicidal destruction ; a 
Constitution that means equal rights and equal justice 



6s 

to all. the North as ^vell as the South ! a Constitution 
that means a Government, — and meaning a Government, 
means the right of that Government to maintain itself 
in Right, even though the heavens — aye, though the 
southern heavens of man's selfish interests — should fall 
before it ! (applause) a Constitution that means a recogni- 
tion of the legally expressed will of the majority through 
the ballot-box — or else by appeal to the cartridge-box! 
a constitution that meaning union once, means union 
forever! that having once planted a star in its blue 
heaven, wraps the protecting arms of its stripes about 
it, and folds it in the embrace of love forever and forever. 

You go as soldiers to fight for your country, and to 
obey the orders of your superiors ; and not as critics or 
interpreters. But if, through the providence of God, in 
this clashing of swords and this crossing of bayonets, 
there should come a mightier crash — a crash of the fall- 
ing of millions of shackles from fettered limbs, and if, 
mingling in the triumphant shouts of victory, there 
should go up the exultant song of freedovi from millions 
of emancipated souls, while all the world is singing its 
"glory hallelujahs" of joy, — the poor soldier may at 
least, from behind his leathern neck-stock, drop a devout 
and a heartfelt amen! (Applause.) 

War plants its bloody footprints on the clean pages of 
history, writing destruction to national prosperity, and 
ruin to individual fortunes; yet it ofttimes leaves a record 
there of manly virtues and of national patriotism, that 
carries the balance over to the credit side of the great 
national balance-sheet. So in this great struggle, old 
Massachusetts is piling up for herself a credit of glory 



66 

that shall be meted out to her sons in bounteous divi- 
dends, from generation to generation, in the years of 
peace and prosperity that are yet to come to her. For. 
as we believe God heard the boom of freedom's prayer as 
breathed by fiery lips of Bunker's mid- June cannon, and 
answered it in the thunder of Yorktown's crowning vic- 
tory, so we believe He will now interpose His shield to 
guard the right, and hang the starry banner of victory 
over the sacred cause of justice and of liberty. 

God speed you, brothers all ; 

God keep who stand or fall, 
In His love forever I 



67 
To THE Massachusetts Twenty-Fifth. 

BY GRACE APPLETON. 

Hail, brothers from our Mother home, 

Fresh from her green old " Heart ! " 
We ope to-day no classic tome 

To quote a hero's part ; 
For, face to face, a gallant band, 

Of living heroes round us stand : 
We ask no better toast to-day. 

Than soldiers from the brave "Old Bay." 

Sworn Knights of P'reedom's cause ye come, 

Crusaders for the Right — 
To pluck from Error's mouldering tomb 

Truth's form divinely bright ; 
Pledged heart to heart, and hand to hand, 

A host invincible ye stand ; 
God's arm shall aid, His guidance lead. 

His grace a shield in every need. 

Beside Potomac's rolling tide, 

'Neath a fair southern sky, 
Remember how your comrades died — 

Their blood your battle cry ! 
Remember homes of sunlight shorn — 

Remember tender hearts that mourn 1 
New England bows her matron head, 

In sorrow for her valiant dead ; 
Make ye their martyr graves to be 

Cradles of new-born Liberty ! 



